ere was some little defect about it, which we discovered after it
was signed; so a second copy was made. If you had examined that one
closer you would have found that the stamp necessary to make it legal
was lacking. Somehow I happened to keep both copies, never dreaming how
valuable this bogus one might prove."

Eugene threw the paper angrily to the floor.

"I'm done!" he cried, shaking his head. "Come on, Mr. Stanwix, if you
are after me, and put the irons on; though I don't think you've got any
show of convicting me of any unlawful game. I claim to have come here to
interview this famous old gentleman about the wonderful discoveries he
has made connected with these people of the cliffs. I expected to make a
big sum in selling the article to a magazine. Perhaps you might give me
more or less trouble if you cared; but then it's another thing to show
proof. And the professor wouldn't like to stay out here long months,
waiting for the case to come on."

"That's where you're right, my tall friend," chirped the little
scientist; "and as my work is almost finished I do not mean to let
anything detain me from getting my book in the hands of the printers."

"Hear that, Mr. Stanwix; he says we're going to get off easy, and you
might as well wish us good day right now?" exclaimed Eugene, nodding to
the Yavapai sheriff, whom he appeared to know.

"Well, there's no hurry," remarked that official, pleasantly. "On the
whole, my opinion is that it would be good policy to keep you locked up
until we know that the document has reached the hands of the one to whom
it was sent, and who is, I believe, the father of our friend, Frank,
here."

"I agree with you, Mr. Sheriff!" declared the old hermit of the cave.
"Because if he were set free I fear he would chase after the United
States mail, if a single hope remained of stealing my property. Yes,
kindly keep him by you until I come around with news."

Then he turned to the two cow punchers, who had stood moodily by,
listening to all that was being said.

"I have no use for either of you men," he remarked, shaking a finger at
them; "so the sooner you get down out of this place, the better. And
while I continue to remain here a few days, I'm going to ask these brave
lads to keep me company as a guard of honor. I've many things to show
that may interest them. And I want to accompany Frank to his home a
little later, if possible."

And so it was arranged. Old Hank and Chesty declared