"Is this true, lad?"
"No, it isn't. I came West with this man, as a secretary, not knowing his character. I found out that he was a thief and then I left him."
"You shall answer for this, boy!" said Kirby, almost frothing at the mouth. "How dare you insult me?"
"The boy is telling the truth. I make no doubt, if you call that insulting you," said Rawson. "He tells us you shut him up in a cave."
"Yes, and I'll do it again."
"Will you indeed? You are at liberty to try."
"What have you got to do with the boy, any way?"
"A good deal. We have just admitted him as a partner in our mining firm. You'll find us in Gilpin County if you want to call, though on the whole I wouldn't advise it, as we miners make short shrift of such fellows as you are."
"The boy must come with us!" said Kirby, doggedly, unwilling to own himself beaten.
"I've got something to say to that, stranger, and it's quickly said. Make yourselves scarce both of you, or you'll never know what hit you."