He was secretly told by the agent that there was a valuable mail to go through in registered letters, and asked if he dared risk carrying them.
"By all means, sir, for I am driving to do my full duty," was the answer.
So the mail was made up, and at the last moment two passengers applied for seats.
They were strangers in W——, but said they were going to Last Chance to work in the mines, and they were accordingly given seats upon the box, as they preferred to ride outside.
Then the coach started on its return to Last Chance with Doctor Dick still holding the reins.
Having driven over the run once, and knowing what his relay teams could do, he started out to make the regular time on the run.
But there was alarm felt at Last Chance when half an hour had passed over schedule-time and the coach did not put in an appearance, and nothing was seen of it on the three miles of trail visible down the valley.
When an hour had passed the anxiety became great, for all conjectured that Doctor Dick had met the fate of Bud Benton and Dave Dockery.
Some said that the delay was because the doctor was new on the road, and this appeared to be a reasonable explanation, but Landlord Larry grew more and more anxious, and at last decided to go out with a party on a search for the delayed coach.
But, just as the men were told to get their horses, a shout arose down the valley that the coach was approaching, and soon after a cloud of dust was visible drifting along the stage-trail.