"Oh, why did he risk his
life so?"
"I'll tell you, Mamie," said Mat, "everybody in this country is crazy
about gold--miners, gamblers, bankers, robbers,--everybody. They're like
hungry wolves, ready to tear one another to pieces. Only the wolves have
more sense. Gold is of no earthly use to anyone. I'm sick and tired of
the whole business." And Mat rose, hat in hand, to go.
"I hope you'll call again, Mr. Bailey," said the the girl shyly. Here
was a friend in need! A great bashful, manly fellow, so kind and
sympathetic!
"I'll be more than pleased to," replied Mat, determined to prove his
philosophy that there are things far more precious than gold.
Fascinated with the idea, he loitered in the neighborhood longer than he
would otherwise have done; and, glancing back at the dear girl's house,
he was astonished to see "Bed-bug Brown" emerge from the cellar. Brown
saw him at about the same time. There was no escape for either, so they
drifted together good-naturedly. The little man extended his hand:
"Congratulations! When is the wedding to be?"
Bailey simply smiled, and said:
"Bed-bug Brown, detective!"
CHAPTER IX
The Home-Coming of a Dead Man
Meanwhile the body of the murdered man--noble countenance peaceful now
after twenty-five years of adventure--had been traveling eastward to its
final resting place.
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