The officer, who had obtained possession of Duncan’s photograph, now produced it, and handing it over to Mr. Taylor, said: 

“Jerry, that is the fellow we are looking for.  Do you know anything about him?”

Taylor looked at the picture a moment, and then answered: 

“Certainly, I know something about him.  He was here two or three days ago, and was as flush with his money as a nobby aristocrat.”

Manning’s heart leaped with joy as he heard these words.  He was no longer doubtful of results, and was satisfied that he was upon the right track.

“How long did he stay here?” asked the officer.

“Let me see,” said Taylor, meditatingly.  “He had a white-faced pony with him, and I took care of the animal in my stable.  He was here, I guess, a day and two nights.”

“Do you know which way he went?” now inquired Manning.

“Wait a moment, gentlemen,” said Taylor, rising to his feet, “I think I can find some one who can tell you all about it.”

Walking to the door, he disappeared, and after an absence of a few minutes he returned, accompanied by a rather handsome young woman of about twenty years of age, and who appeared to be far superior to the balance of the females whom Manning had noticed since his entrance into the bagnio.

The young woman came smilingly forward, and seating herself at the table, deliberately poured out a glass of wine, and tossed it off with an air of good humor that proved her to be no novice in the art.

Jerry Taylor introduced the gay cyprian to the officers, and the nature of their business was soon made known to her.

Without hesitation or the faintest evidence of a blush, she informed the officers that Duncan had been her companion during his stay in Helena, and that they had enjoyed each other’s company immensely.  He had lots of money, the girl said, and she had assisted him in spending some of it.  In reply to their questions, the girl stated that Duncan had left Helena two days ago, and that he intended going to Butte City, where he had relatives in business.  Further than this she could not say, and they were compelled to be satisfied with what information she had been able to give them.

This was reliable and satisfactory news to Manning, and after lingering in the place a few minutes longer, and compensating the girl for her revelations, the two men took their departure and returned to the hotel, well pleased with the result of the evening’s experience.

Upon making inquiries, Manning learned, to his intense disappointment, that he would be obliged to wait until noon on the following day before he could secure a passage in the stage for Butte City.  As no time was to be lost, now that he was approaching so near to what he hoped would be the termination of his journey, Manning determined not to delay his departure until the starting of the coach.  The nights were moonlight now, and requesting the further services of the officer in assisting him to procure a good saddle horse and a guide, Manning resolved to start at once for Butte City.