“Now that Caven and Malone are gone I do not anticipate further trouble at the mine,” said the gentleman. “I am in practical possession of all the shares, and shall have a clear title to the whole property inside of a few weeks.”
When Joe told him what Bill Badger had had to say about a certain man called Bill Bodley he was much interested.
“Yes, you must find out about this man at once,” said he. “I will help you, as soon as certain matters are settled.”
The next morning proved a busy one and Joe got no time to call upon Bill Badger's father. He visited the mine and looked over it with interest.
During the middle of the afternoon he went back to town on an errand for Mr. Vane. He was passing a cabin on the outskirts when he heard loud words and a struggle.
“Let me go, you ruffian!” cried a weak voice. “Leave that money alone!”
“You shut up, old man!” was the answer. “The money is all right.”
“You are trying to rob me!”
Then there was another struggle, and suddenly a door burst open and a man leaped into the roadway. At sight of him Joe came to a halt. The fellow was Bill Butts, the man who had tried to swindle Josiah Bean.
“Stop him!” came from the cabin. “He has my gold!”