who you were. We saw you looking at the sign
over at the pass. Quite a sign, isn't it?"

"You saw me looking at it?" queried the man, showing just the least bit
of uneasiness.

"Yes, we were over there when you came out. The man who painted the
letters on the barrel-head is quite an artist, and he knows how to
spell, all right. They say there is another sign at the other end of the
pass."

"Yes, there's one just like it there," replied Roche. "I can't help
looking at them every time I come through Forbidden Pass. To-night is
the first time I have been through in a week or two, so I could not help
looking to see if the signs were still in place. As you heard me say
before you came in here, I am satisfied that there are no longer any
outlaws hanging about the pass. I reckon they must have got disgusted
with the lack of business and moved away."

"Maybe they did. But if they haven't moved away they will move before
many hours, and you can bet all you're worth on that!"

"You are going after them, then?"

"Well, such work just suits me, and whenever we think we can do a
community a good turn we always go ahead and do it. Outlaws don't like
me, and I don't like outlaws. It is the same with my partners. Some
might call us a little meddlesome sometimes, but it is a way we have
got, and we simply can't help it. Are you going back through the pass
to-night, Mr. Roche?"

"Why, yes. It is only ten miles from here to my store over in Silver
Bend. That is no distance to make, you know."

"That's right. Well, if you happen to meet any of the outlaws while
going through just tell them that we will be looking for them
to-morrow."

A peculiar smile flitted across the features of Roche, but he quickly
changed it and laughed lightly.

"All right, Young Wild West," he said. "If I happen to meet any of them
I'll surely tell them what you say."

CHAPTER VI.

CAP ROCHE FALLS A VICTIM TO HOP.

Cap Roche now turned his attention to the table at which Hop was
sitting.

"So the heathen is showing you something with the cards, eh, boys?" he
said, smilingly.

"That's right, Cap," answered one of them. "An' he's mighty slick, too."

"He is, eh? Well, I'd like to see what he can do."

"Me showee velly nicee lillee tlick," spoke up Hop, nodding pleasantly.

The Chinaman was quite sure that Young Wild West suspected that the man
was not altogether right, for he was a keen observer and an attentive
listener.

That made him