led for the
services of one of the waiter girls in providing for their liquid
nourishment.

The officer, who had obtained possession of Duncan's photograph, now
produced it, and handing it over to Mr. Taylor, said:

"Jerry, that is the fellow we are looking for. Do you know anything
about him?"

Taylor looked at the picture a moment, and then answered:

"Certainly, I know something about him. He was here two or three days
ago, and was as flush with his money as a nobby aristocrat."

Manning's heart leaped with joy as he heard these words. He was no
longer doubtful of results, and was satisfied that he was upon the
right track.

"How long did he stay here?" asked the officer.

"Let me see," said Taylor, meditatingly. "He had a white-faced pony with
him, and I took care of the animal in my stable. He was here, I guess, a
day and two nights."

"Do you know which way he went?" now inquired Manning.

"Wait a moment, gentlemen," said Taylor, rising to his feet, "I think I
can find some one who can tell you all about it."

Walking to the door, he disappeared, and after an absence of a few
minutes he returned, accompanied by a rather handsome young woman of
about twenty years of age, and who appeared to be far superior to the
balance of the females whom Manning had noticed since his entrance into
the bagnio.

The young woman came smilingly forward, and seating herself at the
table, deliberately poured out a glass of wine, and tossed it off with
an air of good humor that proved her to be no novice in the art.

Jerry Taylor introduced the gay cyprian to the officers, and the nature
of their business was soon made known to her.

Without hesitation or the faintest evidence of a blush, she informed the
officers that Duncan had been her companion during his stay in Helena,
and that they had enjoyed each other's company immensely. He had lots of
money, the girl said, and she had assisted him in spending some of it.
In reply to their questions, the girl stated that Duncan had left Helena
two days ago, and that he intended going to Butte City, where he had
relatives in business. Further than this she could not say, and they
were compelled to be satisfied with what information she had been able
to give them.

This was reliable and satisfactory news to Manning, and after lingering
in the place a few minutes longer, and compensating the girl for her
revelations, the two men took their departure and returned to the
hotel,