Thus challenged, Brice plunged with youthful hopefulness into his plan; if, as he voiced it, it seemed to him a little extravagant, he was buoyed up by the frankness of the highwayman, who also had treated the double robbery with a levity that seemed almost as extravagant.  He suggested that they should work together to recover the money; that the express company should know that the unprecedented stealthy introduction of robbers in the guise of passengers was not Snapshot Harry’s method, and he repudiated it as unmanly and unsportsmanlike; and that, by using his superior skill and knowledge of the locality to recover the money and deliver the culprit into the company’s hands, he would not only earn the reward that they should offer, but that he would evoke a sentiment that all Californians would understand and respect.  The highwayman listened with a tolerant smile, but, to Brice’s surprise, this appeal to his vanity touched him less than the prospective punishment of the thief.

“It would serve the d——­d hound right,” he muttered, “if, instead of being shot like a man, he was made to ‘do time’ in prison, like the ordinary sneak thief that he is.”  When Brice had concluded, he said briefly, “The only trouble with your plans, my young friend, is that about twenty-five men have got to consider them, and have their say about it.  Every man in my gang is a shareholder in these greenbacks, for I work on the square; and it’s for him to say whether he’ll give them up for a reward and the good opinion of the express company.  Perhaps,” he went on, with a peculiar smile, “it’s just as well that you tried it on me first!  However, I’ll sound the boys, and see what comes of it, but not until you’re safe off the premises.”

“And you’ll let me assist you?” said Brice eagerly.

Snapshot Harry smiled again.  “Well, if you come across the d——­d thief, and you recognize him and can get the greenbacks from him, I’ll pass over the game to you.”  He rose and added, apparently by way of farewell, “Perhaps it’s just as well that I should give you a guide part of the way to prevent accidents.”  He went to a door leading to an adjoining room, and called “Flo!”

Brice’s heart leaped!  If he had forgotten her in the excitement of his interview, he atoned for it by a vivid blush.  Her own color was a little heightened as she slipped into the room, but the two managed to look demurely at each other, without a word of recognition.

“This is my niece, Flora,” said Snapshot Harry, with a slight wave of the hand that was by no means uncourtly, “and her company will keep you from any impertinent questioning as well as if I were with you.  This is Mr. Brice, Flo, who came to see me on business, and has quite forgotten my practical joking.”

The girl acknowledged Brice’s bow with a shyness very different from her manner of the evening before.  Brice felt embarrassed and evidently showed it, for his host, with a smile, put an end to the constraint by shaking the young man’s hand heartily, bidding him good-by, and accompanying him to the door.