But Benjamin Astley did not suffer death upon the gallows for a crime of which he was wholly innocent.
Enough evidence had been found to substantiate the fact that he was not identical with Bert Mason who had perished in Satan’s Hole.
So he was released from prison a happy man and restored to his faithful friends and his happy bride.
All this was certainly due to the disinterested kindness of Frank Reade, Jr., and Astley expressed his gratitude in warmest terms.
The story spread all over the country and Frank Reade, Jr., was eulogized as the prince of benefactors and philanthropists.
The Steam Horse, however, was not destined to long remain idle. Almost as soon as he returned to Readestown Frank became interested in another thrilling case, the full details of which may be found in exciting form in No. 10 of the Frank Reade Library, entitled:
“FRANK READE, JR., WITH HIS NEW STEAM HORSE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE UNDERGROUND RANCH.”