CHAPTER XIII.
CONCLUSION.
The struggle was short and decisive.
Supple though the younger Gregg was, he was no match for the man from Leadville, and it was not long ere Mr. Thornton had his man pinned firmly beneath him, so that he could not move.
By this time the villagers had arrived upon the scene, in numbers, and stood contemplating the scene, in wonder.
"What is the matter here?" one of them demanded, stepping forward. "Who set fire to this building?"
"That I am not prepared to say, as I just came," Mr. Thornton replied, "but I know that I have captured one of the worst villains living. Is there an officer of the law among you? If so, I want him to take this devil into immediate custody, and watch well that he don't escape."
"I am a constable, but I must first know what charge you have against this young man of highly respected family," another villager said.
"Charges enough to hang him higher than Haman, if you like," the speculator cried. "He has my daughter imprisoned somewhere, in hopes of extorting money from me; he is wanted in Leadville, Colorado, for no less than three cold-blooded murders, and also for horse-theft, and I've got papers to show for it!"