vertaken him. It was
not long, however, after they had started upon their return journey, ere
Manning succeeded in breaking through his reserve, and in inducing him
to talk freely. To the young man's credit be it said, that the first
inquiry he made was in regard to the recovery of Miss Patton, the young
lady whom he had assaulted in the bank, and when he learned of her
speedy and complete recovery, he seemed quite relieved. He expressed the
most intense regret at having been compelled, as he put it, to treat her
so roughly, and he added, "I tell you she was a plucky little woman, and
had Eugene Pearson been an honest man and fought as well as she did, we
never could have got that money."

"She is certainly a brave girl," replied Manning.

"Why, look here," exclaimed Duncan, extending his left hand toward him,
upon two fingers of which the detective noticed several dark-looking and
freshly-healed scars. "I was compelled to strike her. She fastened her
teeth into my hand, and bit me to the bone. I never could have got loose
without that; as it was, my hand bled terribly, and was a long time in
healing, besides being excessively painful."

By degrees the detective led him to speak of his connection with the
robbery, and after a momentary hesitation he revealed the whole story,
which in every particular coincided with that already told by Newton
Edwards. He stated that being in Chicago without money, and without a
friend except Edwards, he had requested a loan from him, which was
readily granted. Then followed another drinking spree in company with
his friend, and during its continuance Edwards proposed the robbery, and
explained how easily and safely it might be accomplished. Lured by the
glittering prospect and intoxicated as he was, he gave a ready consent
to enter into the scheme, and almost before he was aware of it, and
certainly before he became thoroughly sober, the burglary had been
committed, and with his ill-gotten gains he was on the road, seeking to
escape from the consequences of his crime. He professed sincere
repentance for what he had done, and stated that this was his first
offense, which would now have to be atoned for by a long term of
imprisonment.

As they progressed upon their way, and when about fifty miles out,
Duncan informed the detective that he had met a noted rough in Butte
City who was known as Texas Jack, and that this man had told his cousin
that, if he desired it, a party could be rais