ars later the best he could do was to make his mark. But to-day he
prolonged his labors, making out a second check, to be cashed when
Keeler reached San Francisco.

The business was hardly transacted when Henry Francis walked in.

"Glad to see you, Francis!" exclaimed the old man. "What news from
Moore's Flat?" He exchanged glances with Keeler which seemed to mean
that their business should be regarded as strictly private, although
Henry Francis was the friend of both, and had won the confidence and
affection of old man Palmer. Francis and Palmer held the same political
faith. The former came of a distinguished Democratic family, so that the
old man's protection and loyalty had been bestowed upon him upon his
arrival in the gold fields twenty years before. Furthermore, the old man
had proved the unfailing honesty of the younger man. Jew bankers, in
blowing dirt and impurities from gold dust offered for sale, were not
over-careful about blowing away gold dust, too, which would be caught on
buckskin placed out of sight behind the counter. Palmer's dust was very
fine, and more than once he had suffered through such sharp practice,
only to vow he never would suffer so again. In Francis he had found a
strictly honest banker, whose virtue he was inclined to attribute to
correct political principles, overlooking the moral delinquencies of
other Democratic neighbors. But the old man, through long years of
experience with human nature in California, had grown extremely cautious
and secretive. Probably no one would ever have been the wiser in regard
to his old sweetheart and her sad history except for the escape of
Cummins' murderers. And now it was not necessary that any man other than
Keeler should know.

"Glad to see you, Francis. What news from Moore's Flat?"

Francis looked grave. "I suppose Keeler has told you all I know. Seven
days gone and nothing heard of the robbers. I shall expect a telegram
to-morrow or next day, telling of Will Cummins' burial in the village
cemetery at home. And his old father and mother are going to be denied
the small comfort of knowing that the murderers have been caught.

"Keeler, you were Cummins' partner once. Do you have any idea who the
robbers were?"

"I am sorry to say, I don't. This country is full of bad men. I have
thought of the blacklegs along Kanaka Creek. A robbery in Jackass Ravine
was traced to that gang. But the rascals stand together, and are ready
to defend a partner with