In those tortured hours, the same prayer went up from the heart of both mother and friend—that Sybil Lamotte would die!
While these things were making the world a weariness to Constance, Jerry Belknap, in his character of prospecting horse jockey, took up his quarters in a third rate hotel near the river, and remained very quiet in fancied security, until he became suddenly enlightened as to the cause of his ill success, as follows:
Lounging near the hotel one day, he was accosted by a stranger, who tapped him familiarly on the shoulder, saying:
"My friend, I've got a word to say to you. Will you just step into the nearest saloon with me. We will talk over a glass of something."
Wondering idly at his coolness, Belknap followed the stranger, and they entered "Old Forty Rods," that being the nearest saloon.
Once seated face to face at a table, the stranger threw a letter across to Belknap, saying carelessly:
"Read that, if you please."
Opening the letter, these lines stared Belknap in the face:
You have broken your pledge, Jerry Belknap. I have had you under my eye constantly. Fortunately for yourself, I can make use of you. Follow the instructions of the bearer of this to the letter now and until further notice, if you hope for any mercy from
Bathurst.