riefly, inquiringly. What a baffling light it was
that played in the depths of his eyes! What manner of being was he,
after all? She could not tell. And yet she felt she could trust
him--she certainly knew not why. Despite his ways of raillery she felt
he was serious, true as steel, and big in heart and nature.

"I mustn't forget to thank you," she murmured. "I mean for sparing
us--all that. I do thank you, most sincerely, for----"

"Never mind that," he interrupted. "We're going to be late to lunch."

He turned once more to the trail and started off, in his active manner,
together with a thorough indifference as to what became of Bostwick.

Beth, with a feeling that something ought yet to be done for Searle,
down in the valley with the convicts, cast one helpless glance at the
scene of the hold-up, then perforce urged her pony forward.

Van halted no more. He led the way doggedly onward, over the rises,
through great silent forests, past crystal springs, and down dark,
somber ravines. At a quarter of one he emerged from a gorge upon the
level acre of a tiny cove, still high in the mountains fastnesses.
Here he let out a whoop like an Indian, its echo filling all the place.

An answering call came clearly from somewhere near at hand. Beth felt
a sudden alarm to know there were human beings near. What sort they
were was a matter entirely of conjecture. Then presently she
discovered a number of small, rude buildings, and a fair-sized cabin,
planted next the hill. The door of the latter was open. A tall man
appeared in the frame.

"This," said Van, who had waited for the girl to ride once more to his
side, "is the Monte Cristo mine--the worst false alarm that ever
disfigured the map."

CHAPTER V

VAN'S PARTNERS

The Monte Cristo mining property comprised a tunnel in the hill, a
glory hole, a little toy quartz-mill--five stamps strong--the
bunk-house, kitchen, blacksmith-shop, stable, corral, and four human
beings. These latter were a Chinese cook named Algy, a Piute Indian
half-breed called Cayuse, and two rare souls--Napoleon G. Blink and
"Gettysburg"--miners, and boastful old worthies, long partnered and
beloved by Van.

Just at present the tunnel was empty, the glory-hole was deserted, and
the quartz-mill was silent. The mine had proved a failure. Van had
expended many thousands of dollars and ten months of time to
demonstrate the facts; and now, in possession of much new experience,