just resolved to lead a different
life, for I am an outlaw, one of the masked chief's band."

"Yes, I thought as much."

"I changed my life when I met a young girl who was the chief's captive,
and I intended to thwart his plans to again capture her, for we gave her
up for ransom two days ago, and, acting for him, I received the gold.

"He gave me a written order to take the gold to a spot near Last Chance,
and turn it over to him, which I did last night, for he met me there,
and then he arranged to get a large ransom for a poor crazy fellow, the
lover of the young girl, I believe, and so I had decided to act to
protect her; but you can do so now, for I will tell you all, and then I
can die content."

"Yes, it is best to die with a free conscience."

"I believe you, and more, I will tell you of one whom I helped to ruin
in life, though he is dead now. He was a soldier at Fort Faraway, and
his name was Wallace Weston.

"We were boys together, though he was older than I, and I was led into
temptation by others, the Mayhew brothers, and we robbed the bank we
were working in, were discovered by the watchman, and Manton Mayhew
killed him, and we had so planned that the robbery would fall upon the
assistant cashier, Wallace Weston.

"He fled, for we intended to hang him by our testimony, and then Hugh
Mayhew forged letters and caused his sweetheart to believe him guilty,
and she married him, Mayhew, to in the end lose her life at his hands.

"Manton Mayhew always swore to me that he would kill Weston if he ever
met him, and he said he had heard he was in the army, and so I suppose,
when they met at Fort Faraway, he attempted to do so, and was killed
himself.

"Poor Weston did not dare tell of the past, so had to suffer; but you
can make the real truth known to clear his name, for I have it all
written out as it is in my diary, which I have always carried with me
and will now give to you."

"I am glad to learn all this; but let me ask you about your outlaw
band?"

"Yes."

"How many are in it?"

"Nine, without counting the chief."

"Your retreat is in the Grand Canyon."

"You know this?"

"I do."

"Yes, our retreat is there."

"And your chief?"

The outlaw did not reply, and a shudder passed through his frame.

The scout spoke again, and, leaning over, he heard a few whispered words
from the dying lips which a moment after were sealed forever by death.

CHAPTER XL.

TEARING OFF THE MASK.