As the range of the Rocky Mountains in this vicinity does not present that broken and rugged character which marks the other ranges, the land is especially adapted for agricultural purposes, and timber of all kinds abounds in sufficient quantities for all the purposes of home consumption.  Possessing these manifold and important advantages, it is not strange that the country is not materially dependent upon the railroads for its growth and present development.

These facts Manning gleaned in a conversation with the proprietor of the hotel, while he was making his preparations to commence his search for the man whose crime had led him such a long chase, and whose detection now seemed hopefully imminent.

CHAPTER XXII.

In Helena—­A Fruitless Quest—­Jerry Taylor’s Bagnio—­Reliable Tidings—­A Midnight Ride—­Arrival at Butte City.

After obtaining much valuable information with reference to the various localities of the city, from the landlord of the hotel, Manning sallied forth upon his quest.  With untiring energy he prosecuted his inquiries, only to meet with repeated disappointments and rebuffs; all day long he labored assiduously, visiting a hundred brothels, saloons and hotels, and yet without discovering a trace of Duncan or his white-faced quadruped.  Could it be possible that the honest-faced miner had played him false, and designedly thrown him off the scent?  Might not the saloon-keeper at Bozeman have given him the proper direction of Duncan’s flight toward the Yellowstone park? and was he not now miles away from all pursuit, and perhaps by this time fully aware that he was being followed?  These thoughts flew through the brain of the detective as after all his efforts he found himself baffled at all points.  At length, in despair, he sought the aid of the authorities, and was received with a cordiality that was unmistakable, and with a proffer of assistance that promised to be valuable in the extreme.  An officer, well tried and trusted, a man of considerable experience, and who was the very ideal of a discreet and intelligent official, was delegated to accompany him during the evening.  For a long time these two men devoted their combined energies to the task before them; but as had been the case with Manning during the day, no success attended their efforts.

At length the officer turned to Manning and said: 

“There is only one more place where we can possibly hope to hear from your friend, and I have left that until the last, because I scarcely hope to learn anything even there.”

“Let us go at once,” said the detective; “drowning men, they say, catch at straws.  I am determined that no possible point shall be lost and we may only be disappointed again; but let us try.”

“Come along, then,” replied the officer; “but keep your revolver where you can find it, for you may have occasion to use it.”