re the very man, Harding; come with Wall to my cabin. Good night,
gentlemen, and remember, I pay the expenses of Brassy's funeral, so do
not be mean in his burial outfit."

With this Doctor Dick raised his sombrero and left the saloon, his
admirers being still more impressed with his nerve and bearing after
what had occurred.

The body of Brassy was removed to his cabin by those who were his
friends, and all agreed that he had brought his sudden fate upon
himself, as the first reason given, of his hatred to Buffalo Bill, was
excuse enough for refusing him as a courier.

The saloon was closed, and the other gambling and drinking-places
followed the example set and also closed their doors for the night, so
that quiet soon rested in the mining-camp of Last Chance.

In the meanwhile Doctor Dick, accompanied by Wall and Harding, had gone
to his quarters, where Loo Foo was found making a cup of tea, alone with
the dead and wounded, and seemingly unmindful of the fact.

Entering the cabin the doctor drew the blanket back from the form of
Dave Dockery and revealed to the two couriers the honest, brave face of
the driver.

"Poor Dave! He is on his last trail now," he said softly, and seating
himself at his table he hastily wrote two letters. One read:

"DEAR LARRY: Dave died soon after reaching my cabin. If
you do not find trace of the outlaws by sunset, it
would be well to return sooner, if you can get no clue
whatever.

"I send Harding to Fort Faraway, with a note to Buffalo
Bill, as I promised to do, if there was another hold-up
on the Overland Trail.

"I had to kill Brassy to-night, but Ball will explain
the circumstances.

"Get back to poor Dave's funeral at sunset to-morrow,
if possible.

"I closed saloon to-night out of respect to Dave.

"The young passenger will be a madman if he recovers.

Yours, DOCTOR DICK."

The note to Buffalo Bill told of the hold-up on the stage-trail, the
death of one passenger, wounding of another, and killing of Dave
Dockery, and closed with:

"Landlord Larry is on the trail of the outlaws, and all
will be done to hunt them down that it is possible to
do.

"I will drive the coach back on the run, and until
another driver can be found.

"If you cannot come now, state what you think best to
be done and it will be attended to.

"Yours, DOCTOR DICK."

The courier