him the proper direction of
Duncan's flight toward the Yellowstone park? and was he not now miles
away from all pursuit, and perhaps by this time fully aware that he was
being followed? These thoughts flew through the brain of the detective
as after all his efforts he found himself baffled at all points. At
length, in despair, he sought the aid of the authorities, and was
received with a cordiality that was unmistakable, and with a proffer of
assistance that promised to be valuable in the extreme. An officer, well
tried and trusted, a man of considerable experience, and who was the
very ideal of a discreet and intelligent official, was delegated to
accompany him during the evening. For a long time these two men devoted
their combined energies to the task before them; but as had been the
case with Manning during the day, no success attended their efforts.

At length the officer turned to Manning and said:

"There is only one more place where we can possibly hope to hear from
your friend, and I have left that until the last, because I scarcely
hope to learn anything even there."

"Let us go at once," said the detective; "drowning men, they say, catch
at straws. I am determined that no possible point shall be lost and we
may only be disappointed again; but let us try."

"Come along, then," replied the officer; "but keep your revolver where
you can find it, for you may have occasion to use it."

"Where are we going?" asked Manning.

"To Jerry Taylor's ranche," answered the officer, "as hard a dive as you
ever saw."

"Very well," said Manning, "we will go. I have no fear for myself, and
perhaps this is the turning-point in our search."

So saying they started off, and after half an hour's walk found
themselves in the extreme northern part of the city, and in a locality
which presented anything but an inviting appearance.

Although but a short distance from one of the main thoroughfares, the
houses were of the most wretched character, and the people who were
congregated about the doorways were villainous looking men and
low-browed, brazen-faced women. Lights shone from many windows, and from
within came the sound of loud laughter and ribald song. They were
evidently in a quarter of the city where vice reigned supreme and where
poverty, crime and immorality held full sway.

Passing through this neighborhood without molestation, for Manning's
companion seemed to be well known and universally feared, they reached a