“Of course the magistrate will accept suitable bail,” said Rider, not imagining that the prisoner could find any one to go security for him to the large sum likely to be asked.

The miner requested that a lawyer might be sent to him at once, after which he coolly sat down, drew out a morning paper, and began to read.

Later in the day a legal gentleman presented himself in his cell, and there followed a long consultation between the two, and toward evening the lawyer, after consulting with a police justice, called at the Southern Hotel and inquired for a lady by the name of Mrs. J.M.  Walton.

Yes, there was such a person stopping there, the clerk informed him, whereupon the lawyer sent up his card to her with the request that she would grant him a private interview.

The messenger returned in about fifteen minutes, saying the lady would receive him in her private parlor.  Upon being conducted thither, he found a handsome elderly woman awaiting him, and immediately explained his business, relating the circumstances of the arrest of Jake Walton, and concluded by telling her that he had been employed as counsel for the young man, who had sent him to her to arrange for bail.

Mrs. Walton appeared to be greatly disturbed by these disagreeable tidings.  She said she had come there expecting to meet her son, who had just returned from Australia, and it was very trying to be told that he had been arrested for theft.  Then she inquired what amount would be required for security.

The counsel named the sum fixed by the police justice, whereupon Mrs. Walton appeared to be considerably agitated for a moment.

“I am an entire stranger in the city,” she remarked, recovering herself somewhat.  “I know no one to whom I could appeal to become bound for so large a sum.  What can I do?”

“Have you plenty of means at your disposal, madame?” her companion inquired.

“Yes, I could give bail to almost any reasonable amount, only being a stranger here, I fear it would not be accepted from me,” the lady returned, with a look of anxiety.

“No; but I think I can suggest a way out of that difficulty,” said the lawyer, with a crafty smile.

“Then do so,” said Mrs. Walton, quickly; “I am willing to pay handsomely to secure the release of my son from his uncomfortable position.”

“Very well.  Then if you can command the sum named you can deposit it in one of the city banks and I will attend to all other formalities for you.  Of course, the money will be returned to you after the trial of your son.”

“Could such arrangements be made?” Mrs. Walton eagerly inquired.

“Certainly.  All that is required is sufficient security to insure the young man’s appearance at his trial, and then he will be released.”

“Then I can arrange it,” the woman said, apparently greatly relieved; and after discussing ways and means a while longer, the lawyer took his leave.