"Well, we'll see about that. I won't be long in findin' out what he's up to. If he gets through Forbidden Pass without paying toll he's got to be a good one, that's all. His life will probably be the price demanded for toll, too. I reckon that's what I'll make it."
After a few minutes further conversation on the subject the leader of the gang, who was posing as an honest business man in Silver Bend, left the cave, leading his horse out under the curtain that was rolled up by one of the men for him.
He rode along in the direction of the little mining camp at an easy gait, and in a short time he reached the end of the pass.
He paused long enough to see that the sign he had himself painted was in place, and then he made for the saloon, never once thinking that there was any one so close by watching his movements.
Cap Roche was well known in Big Bonanza, and he was satisfied that no one dreamed that he was anything else but an honest man.
He made up his mind to tell the miners that he had decided to ride through the pass just for the purpose of finding out if the outlaws were still there.
"I'll have no trouble in making them think that it is safe to go through now," he muttered, as he rode up to the saloon.
Dismounting, he entered the shanty and found the biggest part of the population gathered there.
"Hello, boys!" he called out, familiarly. "How are you all? I took a notion to ride over to-night through Forbidden Pass. I did not let the notion get out of my head, and came right away. How is business, anyway?"
Several of the men hastened to shake hands with him, and soon a lively conversation was taking place.