The road-agent seemed impressed by the stern words of Doctor Dick, and responded:
"I will go and fetch her, while you turn your coach around."
This Harding at once did, and coming to a halt again, Doctor Dick got down from the box, and the bag of gold was handed to him by Harding.
There was a wait of a few minutes, and then out from among the pines in the pass came a man, followed by Celeste Seldon, a few feet behind him. As she approached the spot, she waved her hand to Harding, and said pleasantly:
"We meet again, my good friend."
"And mighty glad am I that we do, miss. Permit me to introduce to you the boss man of Last Chance, Doctor Dick, and he is here with the money to pay your ransom."
Doctor Dick doffed his sombrero, bowed low, and then stepped forward, as Celeste held out her hand to him, and said in his courtly way:
"I am happy in meeting Miss Seldon and receiving her in the name of the miners of Last Chance."
The outlaw who accompanied Celeste was masked completely, and his form enveloped in a black robe that effectually concealed it. He stepped toward Doctor Dick, and said:
"You, sir, have the ransom money for the return of this young lady?"