"When his bodily health was restored he left my cabin and roamed about the camps up to a week ago, when he most mysteriously disappeared. We had all the miners out upon a search for him, did all in our power to find him, but in vain, and what his fate has been is only conjecture."
"And what is that conjecture, Doctor Dick, for I believe you are so called?"
"Yes, I am known to all solely as Doctor Dick; but let me answer your question by replying that we believe the poor fellow has lost his life by falling over a cliff."
"Such is not the case, sir," was the reply that startled the doctor. "Mr. Brandon is now a captive of the road-agents."
Doctor Dick gazed at Celeste Seldon in amazement.
"Do you know this, Miss Seldon, or is it only conjecture on your part?" he asked, when he had recovered from his surprise.
He had come prepared to console, but, instead, had found the young girl cool and with apparently knowledge which he did not possess regarding the man whom Harding had said he believed was her lover.
"I know it, Doctor Dick."
"May I ask how?"
"I have just been a captive of the outlaws myself, and in coming here from their secret retreat we met two of the road-agents with a prisoner. The leader had some talk with them, but though I at once recognized Mr. Brandon, I was not allowed to speak with him."