st of all, the scout-sentinel did not hail the coach, did
not make his presence known, but allowed it to roll by, himself unseen,
as though he wished to keep the fact of his being there a secret, even
from Doctor Dick and Harding, his ally and spy.

CHAPTER XXX.

AT THE RENDEZVOUS.

As the coach drew near the rendezvous appointed by the masked road-agent
chief, at the Dead Line, Harding breathed hard with suppressed emotion.

He had really fallen in love with the beautiful girl, whom he felt he
was in a manner the protector of, and he was most anxious as to the
result.

Aside from his regard for Celeste Seldon, her unprotected condition
would have won his deepest sympathy under any circumstances.

Doctor Dick, on the other hand, was calm and silent. He had the money
demanded, and he had come to do his duty, but was prepared to face all
emergencies that might arise.

At last the scene of the tragedies came in view, the cross erected at
the Dead Line was just before them, and then Harding grasped the reins,
expecting a summons to halt.

No one was visible in the pass, but that was no sign that there was no
one there, as Harding and Doctor Dick well knew.

Just as the leaders reached the cross, a voice called out:

"Halt!"

Hard went the foot of the driver upon the brake, and his hands pulled
the team to a sudden stop.

Doctor Dick instinctively dropped his hand upon his revolver, but
removed it instantly, and calmly awaited the issue.

The coach having halted, the same voice called out:

"Is there any one inside the coach?"

"No one," answered Harding.

"If you lie to me, Harding, your life will be the forfeit."

"All right, so be it, sir; but Doctor Dick and I are all that came."

"Who is following you?"

"No one."

"Did none of the miners come out from Last Chance?"

"Not one."

"You are sure?"

"I am."

"If we are attacked, both you and Doctor Dick shall die, and if the
force is large enough to press me hard, I shall kill the girl."

"You need have no fear of an attack; but I only wish we dared make the
attempt, for I would like to see every one of you hanged."

A laugh greeted this remark of the driver, and once again the unseen
road-agent called out:

"Did you bring the gold?"

"Did you bring the young lady?"

"Answer my question, Harding."

"You answer mine."

"I will reply when I have had an answer."

"If you brought the young lady, as you pledged yourself to do,