I'll blow your brains out!"

[Illustration: "If you attempt to draw your pistol, I'll blow out your
brains!"]

Duncan felt that it was useless to attempt to trifle with the resolute
man before him, and his arms dropped to his side.

"It's no use, Tod," said Manning, with a quiet smile. "I've got the drop
on you, and you might as well cave. Throw your pistols on the
ground."

Mechanically Duncan did as he was directed, and then turning to Manning,
he inquired in a low, suppressed tone:

"What do you want me for?"

"For the Geneva bank robbery," answered Manning. "You have led me a
pretty long chase, but you see I have caught you at last."

"If you had been one hour later," said the other, doggedly, "you never
would have taken me. Once on my horse, I would have defied you, and I
would have killed you like a dog."

"Well, well," answered Manning, "we won't talk about what you might have
done. I've got you, and that's enough for me."

At this juncture the marshal made his appearance, and offering his
assistance, the crestfallen young burglar was quietly led away to the
jail, where he was searched, and fifteen hundred dollars in money was
found upon his person, besides an excellent and valuable gold watch.
Without waiting for any further results, Manning rushed to the
telegraph office, in order to apprise me of his success. He could not
repress a pardonable feeling of pride in the victory he had
accomplished. His search was ended, his man was a prisoner, and shortly
afterward there came clicking over the wires to Chicago, the following
message:

"I have him, fifteen hundred dollars in money, a gold watch,
horse and rifle. Will sell horse for what I can get, and leave
here, with prisoner, for Chicago, in the morning."

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Burglar Returns to Chicago--Revelations by the Way--The Missing
Five Thousand Dollars.

As I had received no tidings of John Manning since his departure from
Minneapolis, it may be imagined that I was considerably relieved when
his brief but comprehensive telegram from Butte City was received. So
long a time had elapsed since he had been able to transmit me any
definite information about his movements, that I had begun to grow
alarmed, not only for the successful termination of his pursuit, but for
his personal safety. Now, however, all my fears were set at rest; the
daring and ambitious detective was safe and well, and in addition to
this he had succe