well pleased with the result of the evening's experience.

Upon making inquiries, Manning learned, to his intense disappointment,
that he would be obliged to wait until noon on the following day before
he could secure a passage in the stage for Butte City. As no time was to
be lost, now that he was approaching so near to what he hoped would be
the termination of his journey, Manning determined not to delay his
departure until the starting of the coach. The nights were moonlight
now, and requesting the further services of the officer in assisting him
to procure a good saddle horse and a guide, Manning resolved to start at
once for Butte City.

A horse was soon secured, and a trusty man was found who was well
acquainted with the road, and who was willing to accompany him. Bidding
farewell to the officer, whom he amply remunerated for his trouble,
Manning, at ten o'clock that night, leaped into his saddle and set out
on his journey. He rode hard all that night, and at sunrise reached
Boulder, having traveled considerably more than half the distance. Here
they stopped for breakfast, to feed their horses and take some rest. His
guide left him at Boulder City and returned to Helena, and about nine
o'clock, Manning set off alone for Butte. He pushed on without delay or
accident, and about four o'clock in the afternoon arrived at his
destination.

His first care was to provide quarters for his horse, and to make
arrangements for his return to Helena by the stage next day, after which
he sought the hotel for rest, and refreshment for himself.

How near he was to the object of his long search he did not know, but
tired and hungry from his long ride, he mentally breathed a prayer that
success would speedily crown his efforts, and that the weary chase would
soon be ended.

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Long Trail Ended--Duncan Traced to his Lair--Caught at Last--The
Escaping Burglar a Prisoner.

Butte City is a rich mining village in Deer Lodge county in the
territory of Montana, and is surrounded by high hills, which contain
rich deposits of gold and silver which are taken from the quartz rock,
and in the city are situated the furnaces and other appliances for
extracting the precious metals from the rocks in which they are found.
The population, although largely of a transient and adventurous
character, is composed of a respectable, well-ordered community, many of
whom have located permanently, and have labored for the adva