alibis or pistols."

If Keeler felt constrained to withhold information about his intended
visit to San Francisco in the capacity of detective, Francis on his part
saw no reason to state that he had just employed Bed-bug Brown in a
similar capacity. For in descending the canon of the Middle Yuba, he had
gone a mile out of his way up the river to the cabin of this worthy
gentleman, and finding him at home had promptly engaged his services.
Brown, like Keeler, was to take the stage to Nevada City on the morrow,
provided with a fee for current expenses.

"Well," said Palmer, "I am glad for my part that the California gold
craze is coming to an end. When the farmers down in the Sacramento
Valley get the upper hand, they will stop hydraulic mining, for it keeps
covering their good soil with sand and clay. The Government authorities
say we are filling up San Francisco Bay, too; so Uncle Sam is going to
step in and do something. Then those rowdies along Kanaka Creek and all
the other bad men in this country will have to move on."

"And so will the rest of us," smiled Francis. "A man who has made his
pile can afford to retire. But what about Keeler here, and me?"

"Well," persisted Palmer, "I think Will Cummins was right in wanting to
leave the gold fields. Gold makes people crazy. Half our gamblers and
thieves would be decent men in a decent community."

"Mr. Palmer means," said Keeler, "that Pat Flynn, who is a good
Democrat, but who doesn't pay back the fifty dollars he borrowed from
Mr. Palmer last winter, would be a better Democrat back in Connecticut,
making wooden hams and nutmegs." With this he shook hands with his
friends and departed, for it was evident Francis had some private
business with the old man.

When they were alone, Francis said:

"You know, Mr. Palmer, that we Pennsylvanians stand together. I have
undertaken to settle up Cummins' affairs. I find you hold his note for a
thousand dollars."

"I do. Lent him the money when he made a fresh start a few years back.
But I supposed I stood to lose it when the robbers took Cummins' gold
the other day. I certainly could afford to lose it."

"Well, you don't have to lose it, Mr. Palmer. Cummins left mining stock
at the bank in my care that will more than cover the debt. The fact is,
I borrowed the value of the stock from him. Strictly speaking, I got him
to put a couple of thousand into a paying proposition; and he left
everything in my hands. So I am going