The resources of Fenton’s Gulch were limited, but Luke succeeded in getting together materials for a breakfast for the sick man.  The latter brightened up when he had eaten a sparing meal.  It cheered him, also, to find that there was someone to whom he could look for friendly services.

To make my story short, on the second day he felt able to start with Luke for Deadwood, which he reached without any serious effect, except a considerable degree of fatigue.

Arrived at Deadwood, where there were postal facilities, Luke lost no time in writing a letter to Mr. Armstrong, enclosing a list of the stolen bonds.  He gave a brief account of the circumstances under which he had found Mr. Harding, and promised to return as soon as he could get the sick man back to his farm in Minnesota.

When this letter was received, Roland Reed was in the merchant’s office.

“Look at that, Mr. Reed,” said Armstrong, triumphantly.  “That boy is as smart as lightning.  Some people might have thought me a fool for trusting so young a boy, but the result has justified me.  Now my course is clear.  With the help of these numbers I shall soon be able to trace the theft and convict the guilty party.”

CHAPTER XXXV

BACK IN GROVETON

Meanwhile, some things occurred in Groveton which require to be chronicled.  Since the visit of Tony Denton, and the knowledge that his secret was known, Prince Duncan had changed in manner and appearance.  There was an anxious look upon his face, and a haggard look, which led some of his friends to think that his health was affected.  Indeed, this was true, for any mental disturbance is likely to affect the body.  By way of diverting attention from the cause of this altered appearance, Mr. Duncan began to complain of overwork, and to hint that he might have to travel for his health.  It occurred to him privately that circumstances might arise which would make it necessary for him to go to Canada for a lengthened period.

With his secret in the possession of such a man as Tony Denton, he could not feel safe.  Besides, he suspected the keeper of the billiard-room would not feel satisfied with the thousand-dollar bond he had extorted from him, but would, after awhile, call for more.

In this he was right.

Scarcely a week had elapsed since his first visit, when the servant announced one morning that a man wished to see him.

“Do you know who it is, Mary?” asked the squire.

“Yes, sir.  It’s Tony Denton.”

Prince Duncan’s face contracted, and his heart sank within him.  He would gladly have refused to see his visitor, but knowing the hold that Tony had upon him, he did not dare offend him.

“You may tell him to come in,” he said, with a troubled look.

“What can the master have to do with a man like that?” thought Mary, wondering.  “I wouldn’t let him into the house if I was a squire.”