Barnaby disappeared," mused Paul, as he mashed
the potatoes on his plate with a fork. "One would not think a man could
go to San Francisco and disappear forever."

"He might if he went to Chinatown and got sandbagged or something like
that."

"Oh, you don't really think such a thing would happen?"

"It might. Uncle was a great hand to see the sights, and also to make a
show of his money, and the Chinese in San Francisco are, many of them, a
bloodthirsty set."

"Do you really believe he discovered the rich mine he talked about?"

"He discovered something, that is certain. And he had faith enough in it
to go to San Francisco in the hope of starting a company to develop the
claim."

It was in this strain that the two boys talked on until long after the
meal was finished, and while they are conversing let us take a brief
glance at their former history.

As I have said, the three brothers were orphans, their parents having
died several years before.

The ranch had belonged to their father, who had willed it to his three
sons equally, and as none of them were yet of age, he had appointed his
brother, Barnaby, his executor.

Barnaby Winthrop was an old prospector, who had spent a life among the
hills, prospecting for gold and silver. As has been said, he was a
peculiar man, but warm and generous hearted to the last degree.

As there was really little to do at the ranch but look after the cattle,
the uncle had left the place in charge of the three boys and continued
month in and month out ranging over the hills and among the mountains in
search of the precious metal which lay hidden beneath the surface.

One day Uncle Barnaby had staggered into the house, weak and hungry. He
had made a perilous trip up to a point theretofore considered
unattainable. He announced that he had at last struck a mining spot that
if properly worked would prove a bonanza. He refused to state the exact
location and announced his intention of going at once to San Francisco
to organize a company to open up a mine.

He started apparently in the best of health, and although he had been
gone now a number of months, and they had been anxiously awaiting his
reappearance, they had seen or heard nothing of him.

During this period the boys had had considerable trouble at home, which
had occupied their attention. At the start some of the cattle had gone
astray, and it had taken a ten days' hunt over the long range to find
them. Then had come Capt