"I will reward you—generously."
"I seek no reward, ask for none, would not accept any pay at your hands, other than to earn your good opinion and gratitude."
"Well, sir?" said Celeste Seldon coolly.
"Have you found your father?"
"No, I regret to say I have not; but I was interrupted in my search by being captured by your robber chief."
"Do you know what became of the young man who came West in search of him?"
"I had a letter mailed at W—— from him, stating that he had heard of people at Last Chance who might tell him of my father, and that he was going there, and would at once communicate with me.
"I had no other letter, and my communications remained unanswered, even my telegrams wired to Santa Fé and mailed there brought no response. Then I decided to come out here myself, and I acted promptly."
"And you have not found the one you seek?"
"I have discovered that the coach in which he left W—— was held up by your band, that he was wounded, and that though he was placed under the care of one known as Doctor Dick, a surgeon, though his life was saved, his reason was gone, and now he is wandering about the mines of Last Chance, a harmless lunatic."