"Indeed," commented Denton.
"Yes, I've just come from Californy."
"Been at the mines?"
"Well, not exactly. When I fust went out I mined a little, but it didn't pay; so I set up a liquor saloon in the minin' deestrict, an' that paid."
"I suppose it did."
"Of course it did. You see, them fellers got dry mighty easy, and they'd pay anything for a drink. When they hadn't silver, I took gold-dust, an' that way I got paid better."
"You must have made money," said Denton, getting more and more interested.
"You bet I did. Why, they used to call me the Rich Red-head. Hallo! why, you're a red-head, too!"
Denton was about to disclaim the imputation, when he chanced to think of his red wig, and answered, with a smile:
"Queer, isn't it, that two red-heads should come together?"