"Why do you speak in that kind of a way to me?" stammered Badger. "Ain't I stuck by you and did what I said? And so far as the killin' of Tom Edwards is consarned, didn't you help plan the job, and didn't you stand by while I carried it out?"

"That is all true, Badger; but I am not going back on you--"

"Then why do you speak that way?"

"Because I want you to understand that Willett suspects the whole truth.

Indeed, he stated the case from beginning to end as if he knew all about it."

"Wa'al, if he does, I didn't tell him."

"Of course not, Badger; but you must see that those who think Willett and Hank Tims innocent will at once say, 'Some one killed Tom Edwards, and we should find the guilty parties.'"

"And that's the thought that skeers you?"

"I must confess, Badger, it makes me feel very uneasy," said Shirley.

"I thought you had more nerve."

"I am not lacking in that, but caution is better than nerve; and I've been thinking that the sooner we can get out of this place the better."

"I'll allow yer right thar, Mr. Shirley; but if we was to get away in a hurry, them that suspects us would foller up and hunt us down like wild beasts. Why, Collins, he's jest a spilin' to have a fuss with us, and I'm bound that he shan't, for he's powerful ugly with a six-shooter."

"Still, I want to get away. There is no doubt in my mind as to the fate of young Sam."

"Thar shouldn't be, for thar ain't no more doubt about him and all the rest of his gang bein' drownded than thar is that that jury over thar will bring in a verdict of guilty," and Badger jerked his head in the direction of the canvas hotel.

"And they will hang the prisoners?"

"You can bet they will, and in short order, too."

"To-day?"

"Yes, to-day."

"Then my mission will be accomplished, and it would be folly to stay an hour in this savage hole if I can get out of it and go to wealth and friends."

"And I'll stick by you, no fear of that, leastwise till I get my share of the swag, and then I think I'll marry and try to lead a more decentish life than I have been doin'--"

Badger was stopped in his statement of good resolutions by a loud cheer coming from the hotel.

"Halloo! what's that?" asked Shirley.

"It must be the vardict; let us go and see," replied Badger, and he at once started off in the direction of the noise, followed by his nervous employer.

Badger was right in his guess.

The jury had sent out word that they had agreed on a verdict.

The preceding excitement was great, but it was calmness itself compared with that that stirred the miners when it became known that the jury were ready to report.

From the bar and the tents and huts round about men poured into the place of trial.

Badger had to run to get up in time, for he did not see how business could go on without the presence of the sheriff.

Mr. Willett and Hank Tims sat in the place they had occupied during the trial.

The judge, flushed with liquor, took his place and rapped and shouted for order.

The twelve jurymen and the prisoners were the only calm persons present, and even their faces showed that they fully appreciated the situation.

When the judge, after breaking the heavy gla.s.s and splintering the little pine table by his side had succeeded in getting the mob down, he turned to the jury and said:

"Gents, have you got a verdict?"

"Yes," coughed the one acting as foreman.

"All unanimous?"

"Yes."

"Wa'al, let's have it," said the judge.

The silence became profound on the instant.

Men with watches could hear them ticking, and men with hearts became painfully aware of the fact.

Though a big, strong fellow, the foreman was trembling when he rose to his feet, and he tried to cough behind his hand several times before he could get control of his voice. At length he managed to say:

"We find that the two prizners is--"

Here he stopped and coughed again, and he undoubtedly would have sat down without finishing the sentence had not the judge shouted:

"Wa'al, the prizners is what?"

"_Guilty!_" came the reply.

On hearing this Badger tried to lead a cheer with the help of the judge, but as the farce was not yet over, some one cursed him and told him to "shut up."

"I don't well see how you could fotch in any other vardict," began the judge. "Fact is, you couldn't have did it and continued to live among the people at Hurley's Gulch that's in for law and order and fair play; so I say you've all done yer duty n.o.bly like good feller citizens."

This opinion met with some applause; then the judge turned to Mr.

Willett and Hank, and in a voice intended to be very solemn, as it certainly was very hoa.r.s.e, he called out:

"Presners at the bar stand up!"

The two men rose, and Mr. Willett cast a quick glance over the crowd in the hope of seeing the friendly faces of Collins and his partner, Si Brill, but they were not in sight.

"Have either of you men anythin' to say why I shouldn't now pa.s.s sentence of death on you?"