"Jake!"
"Jake, then. I am only acting as the agent of Miss Sinclair."
"The gal you spoke of?"
Ben nodded.
"Then you can thank her. If there's anything I kin do for her, jest let me know."
"I mean to. That is the business I want to speak to you about."
After a hearty breakfast the two turned their steps to the private boarding-house where Miss Sinclair was eagerly awaiting them. Though Jake referred to her as "the gal," in his conversation with Ben, he was entirely respectful when brought face to face with the young lady.
"I want to thank you for my breakfast, miss, first of all," said the miner. "If I hadn't been such a thunderin' fool, I needn't have been beholden to any one, but-"
"You are entirely welcome, Mr. Bradley," said the young lady. "Ben tells me that you know something of Richard Dewey."
"Yes, miss."