'You're on time, my lad,' said Jake. 'I didn't know as you'd think it worth while to look me up.'

 

'I promised,' said Ben.

 

'And you've kept your promise. That's more'n many a man would do.'

 

'How did you pass the night?' asked Ben.

 

'I stretched out on the soft side of a board. It isn't the first time. I slept like a top.'

 

'Have you had breakfast?'

 

'Well, there! you've got me,' said Jake. 'I reckoned on findin' an old friend that keeps a saloon on Montgomery Street, but he's sold out to another man, and I hadn't the face to ask him for a bite. What a consarned fool I was to throw away all my pile.'

 

'Where is the saloon?' said Ben. 'We will go there, and while you are eating we can arrange our business.'

 

'Thank you, boy. I ain't above acceptin' a favor of you, and I allow that I'm empty, and need fillin' up.'

 

'You needn't thank me, Mr. Bradley-'

 

'Jake!'

 

'Jake, then. I am only acting as the agent of Miss Sinclair.'

 

'The gal you spoke of?'

 

Ben nodded.

 

'Then you can thank her. If there's anything I kin do for her, jest let me know.'

 

'I mean to. That is the business I want to speak to you about.'

 

After a hearty breakfast the two turned their steps to the private boarding-house where Miss Sinclair was eagerly awaiting them. Though Jake referred to her as 'the gal,' in his conversation with Ben, he was entirely respectful when brought face to face with the young lady.

 

'I want to thank you for my breakfast, miss, first of all,' said the miner. 'If I hadn't been such a thunderin' fool, I needn't have been beholden to any one, but-'

 

'You are entirely welcome, Mr. Bradley,' said the young lady. 'Ben tells me that you know something of Richard Dewey.'

 

'Yes, miss.'

 

'He is a valued friend of mine, and I am anxious to hear all that you can tell me of him. You don't know where he is now?'

 

'No, miss.'

 

'When did you see him?'

 

'Nigh on to a year ago.'

 

'That is a long time. You have heard nothing of him since?'

 

'No, miss. I should say yes,' he added, with sudden recollection. 'One of our boys saw him some months later, and reported that he was well and prosperin'. I disremember where he was, but somewhere at the mines.'

 

'That is something. Do you think you could find him?'

 

'I could try, miss,'

 

'I am going to send out Ben, but he is only a boy. I should like to have you go with him. You know the country, and he does not. Besides, you have seen Mr. Dewey.'

 

'Yes, I should know him ag'in if I met him.'

 

'How did he seem when you knew him?' asked Ida, hesitating, because conscious that the question was vaguely expressed and might not be understood.

 

'He was a quiet, sober chap, workin' early and late,' answered Jake, who, rough as he was, comprehended the drift of her questions. 'He wasn't exactly pop'lar with the boys, because he wouldn't drink with 'em, and that made them think he was proud, or grudged the expense.'

 

'They were very greatly mistaken,' s............