hat offer, or submit to confinement until I see fit to set
you at liberty."

"And my companion, here--?"

"I will place under the charge of Miss Anita for the present, where
she will receive hospitable treatment."

Fearless Frank started as though he had been struck a violent blow;
his face grew very white; his eyes dilated; he trembled in every
joint.

"_Anita!_" he gasped--"_Anita!_"

"I believe that is what I said!" Redburn could not understand the
youth's agitation. He knew that the sister of Ned Harris had a secret;
was this Fearless Frank in any way connected with it, and if so, how?
"Do you know her?"

"Her other name is--"

"Harris--Anita Harris, in full. Do you know her, or aught of her?"

"I--I--I did, once!" was the slow reply. "Where is she; I want to see
her?"

Redburn took a moment to consider.

Would it be best to permit a meeting between the two until he should
be able to learn something more definite concerning the secret? If Ned
Harris were here would he sanction such a meeting? No! something told
the young miner that he would not; something warned him that it could
result in no good to allow the scarlet youth an interview with sad,
sweet-faced Anita.

"You cannot see her!" he at last said, decidedly. "There is a reason
why you two should never meet again, and if you remain in the gulch,
as you will be obliged to, for the present, you must give me your word
of honor that you will not go near yonder cabin."

Fearless Frank had expected this; therefore he was not surprised.
Neither did Redburn know how close he had shied his stone at the real
truth.

"I promise," McKenzie said, after a moment's deliberation, "on my
honor, that I will not approach the cabin, providing you will furnish
me my meals and lodgings elsewhere. If Anita comes to me, what then?"

"I will see that she does not," Redburn answered, positively.
Gradually he was assuming full control of things, in the absence of
Harris, himself. "Miss Terry, you may ride down to yonder cabin, and
tell Anita I sent you. Pilgrim, you can come along with me."

"No; I will accompany Alice as far as where your forces are
stationed," said Frank, and then they rode down the slope, Redburn
turning toward where the road-agents sat upon their horses in a
compact body, with Deadwood Dick at their head.

As the miner drew nigh and came to a standstill, the Prince of the
road rode forward to his side.

"Well--?" he said, interrogatively, his