That's why I hate to
mention her name. And that's why I haven't said anything up to this
time. But some of those cowards who looked on while Cummins was murdered
have begun to talk; so you would have heard the story sooner or later
anyhow. Still, I hate to mention the girl's name."
"You have done right," said Francis. "The girl might have helped the
robbers without intending to. Frightened out of her wits, perhaps.
Somebody might question her kindly, and see what's back of this. And,
gentlemen, as Bailey spends a good deal of his time at Nevada City, it
seems to me he is the man to follow up this clue. Call on the girl, Mat,
and see what you can find out."
So out of a sordid tragedy there was spun a thread of romance. The
school-teacher and the stage-driver are about the only characters who do
not require the "gold cure." Mat had ridden over the mountains at all
seasons until he loved them. His chief delights were the companionship
of his stout horses and his even more intimate companionship with
nature. To scare up a partridge, to scent the pines, to listen to the
hermit thrush were meat and drink to him. That there was gold in these
noble mountains moved him very little, though this fact provided him
with a livelihood for which he was duly grateful.
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