on gripe of the right hand,
interlaced within the clenched bones, gleamed the wide-mouthed
vial which was the object of our mutual visit. Graham fell
upon his knees, and attempted to withdraw the prize from the
grasp of its dead possessor. But the bones were firm, and when
he finally succeeded in securing the bottle, by a sudden
wrench, I heard the skeleton fingers snap like pipe-stems.

"Hold this a moment, whilst I search the pockets," he
commanded.

I did as directed.

He then turned over the corpse, and thrusting his hand into
the inner breast-pocket, dragged out a roll of MSS., matted
closely together and stained by the winter's rains. A further
search eventuated in finding a roll of small gold coin, a set
of deringer pistols, a mated double-edged dirk, and a pair of
silver-mounted spectacles. Hastily covering over the body with
leaves and branches cut from the embowering shrubs, we
shudderingly left the spot.

We slowly descended the gorge toward the banks of the American
River, until we arrived in a small but sequestered thicket,
where we threw ourselves upon the ground. Neither had spoken a
word since we left the scene above described. Graham was the
first to break the silence which to me had become oppressive.

"Let us examine the vial and see if the contents are safe."

I drew it forth from my pocket and handed it to him.

"Sealed hermetically, and perfectly secure," he added. Saying
this he deliberately wrapped it up in a handkerchief and
placed it in his bosom.

"What shall we do with our prize?" I inquired.

"_Our_ prize?" As he said this he laughed derisively, and cut
a most scornful and threatening glance toward me.

"Yes," I rejoined firmly; "_our_ prize!"

"Gillson," retorted Graham, "you must regard me as a
consummate simpleton, or yourself a Goliah. This bottle is
mine, and _mine_ only. It is a great fortune for _one_, but of
less value than a toadstool for _two_. I am willing to divide
fairly. This secret would be of no service to a coward. He
would not dare to use it. Your share of the robbery of the
body shall be these MSS.; you can sell them to some poor devil
of a printer, and pay yourself for your day's work."

Saying this he threw the bundle of MSS. at my feet; but I
disdained to touch them. Observing this, he gathere