the middle, don't
it? When dry weather keeps you poor and a rain hangs you? Tough luck!
Alas, poor Johnny! I knew him well!"

So far his iron fortunes had brought him--to the shadow of the
gallows. There, beset with death and shame, with neck and name on the
venture, he held his head high, and kept his honor spotless. Well
done, Johnny Dines! Well played, our side!

* * * * *

There is somewhat which must be said here. Doubtless it is bad
Art--whatever that means--but it is a thing to be done. It is charged
to me that I suppress certain sorry and unsavory truths when I put
remembered faces to paper--that I pick the best at their best, and
shield with silence their hours of shame and weakness--these men I
loved. Well--it is true. I take my own risk by that; but for them, it
is what they have deserved. It is what Johnny Dines did for Kitty
Seiber.

* * * * *

"Well, that's about all," said Hobby. "Uncle Pete is still skirmishing
round. Adam had a tame tank somewhere close by, and Pete thinks he may
find some more light on the case, there or somewheres else. If you
don't think of anything more I guess I'll go down to the Gans Hotel
and sleep a day or two. Nobody knows where See is. He may be
asleep--and then again he may be up to some devilment."

"From what I could hear a while ago," said Johnny, grinning hugely, "I
thought you were a prisoner."

"I am," said Hobby.

He went to a window at the end of the big hall and looked out.
Hillsboro is generously planned, and spreads luxuriously over more
hills than Rome. This is for two reasons: First, there was plenty of
room, no need to crowd; second, and with more of the causative
element, those hills were rich in mineral, and were dotted thick with
shaft and tunnel between the scattered homes.

Several shafts were near the jail. On the nearest one Mr. Preisser
diligently examined the ore dump. Hobby whistled. Mr. Preisser looked
up. Hobby waved his hat. Preisser waved back and started toward the
jail. Hobby returned to his cell and locked himself in. Mr. Preisser
thundered at the jail door.

"Well?" said Gwinne, answering the summons.

"I have been thinking about the criminal, Lull," said Mr. Preisser,
beaming. "Considering his tender years and that he is nod fully
gompetent and responsible mentally--I have decided nod to bress the
charge against him. You may let him go, now."

"Oh, very well," said