"True, but we have at least discovered one of the shrubs at the bottom of which grows the root."
"You refer to Deadwood Dick?"
"I do. He is here in the valley, and he must never leave it alive. While we have the chance we must strike the blow that will forever silence his tongue."
"Yes; but what about the girl? She will be just as much in the way, if not a good deal more so."
"We can manage her all right when the proper time arrives. Dick is our game, now."
"He may prove altogether too much game. But, now that we are counting eggs, how much of the 'lay' is to be mine, when this boy and girl are finished?" he queried.
"How much? Well, that depends upon circumstances. The girl may fall to you."
"The girl? Bah! I'd rather be excused."
The day passed without incident in the mines. The work went steadily on, the sounds of the crusher making strange music for the mountain echoes to mock.