that
day at the hotel, I was afraid. I knew Vanderhoof, or Colonel Dendon, as
he sometimes calls himself, and I went to him. He said he could give me
a job out West and he sent me here. Then, I guess it must have been the
day you started, he telegraphed me to be on the lookout for you, and to
inform Forty-niner Smith when you arrived. I did."

"Were you in the game to help work off a worthless mine on me?" asked
Dick, a little resentfully.

"No, no," replied Simon, earnestly. "I only learned of that by accident.
When I found out the mines were no good I was going to have nothing more
to do with any of the gang. But Smith told me your father had once got
the best of Vanderhoof in a business deal and that this was the only way
they could get their money back--to sell him a worthless mine. They
said it was done every day and--and I believed them. I only kept them
informed of your movements so they could fix things up to--to deceive
you, I suppose."

"Yes," assented Dick.

"But I'm done with 'em now," went on Simon. "I was riding out to the
mine to-night, after I saw you three start for it. Oh, I kept close
watch on you," he said in answer to Dick's look of surprise. "I started
for the mine to warn them you were coming, as I knew they were going to
do some 'salting.' My horse threw me before I'd gone far and--well, I'm
pretty badly hurt, I guess."

"Now that will do," interrupted one of the physicians. "You can tell the
rest another time. You must be quiet now."

"There isn't any more to tell," said Simon, in a whisper. "That's all,
Dick, but I feel better for having told you."

"Well, Simon," said the millionaire's son, "I'm sorry you are hurt. I
forgive you. I guess you didn't realize what you were doing."

"That's it. I never realized what bad men Vanderhoof, Smith and the
others were. I'm done with them forever. I guess I can go to sleep now."

He turned over and closed his eyes. Dick softly left the room, followed
by one of the doctors.

"Is he badly hurt?" he asked of the medical man, when they were out in
the corridor.

"Well, he is hurt internally. I think we can pull him through with
careful nursing. Is he a friend of yours?"

"I used to think he was," answered Dick. "I guess he got into bad
company, that's the trouble. I'd like to help him if I could. Here,
doctor, take this and see that he has good nursing, will you, please,"
and Dick thrust a hundred-dollar bill into the physician's hand.

"But