His attack upon Cummings could be called his debut, just as Cummings’ late success could be looked on as his first definite step within the portals of outlawry and crime.  Haight, as an accessory to the robbery, had hardly taken his first plunge.  Some time before this these same men, with others, had planned an extensive robbery on the same line, but Moriarity weakened at the last moment and the whole thing fell through.  It was this incident which caused Cummings to doubt his trustworthiness.  Still Moriarity had a certain amount of bull courage, of which Cummings was aware, and if his palm was but crossed by the almighty dollar he would be a valuable ally.  For this reason Cummings had taken him again into his confidence.

For some moments the three men sat silently puffing their pipes and picturing the delight of spending their ill-gotten booty, when Cummings, rising from his seat, placed the money on the table and cut the strings which bound it together.

A hasty count revealed $53,000 in currency and about $40,000 in bonds, mortgage deeds, and other unconvertible valuables.

He had evidently fully considered his plans, and without any previous beating around the bush, proceeded to execute them.

Opening a package of smaller bills he divided it into three parts, giving Haight and Moriarity each a share.  The remainder of the plunder he again divided into three portions, and taking the larger one for himself, proceeded to wrap it and tie it securely; his companions, taking their cue from him, doing likewise.

“Boys,” he then said, “as soon as the robbery is discovered the company will turn hell itself upside down to find it.  Pinkerton will be on our trail in forty-eight hours.  The first thing they will do will be to suspect the messenger.  He will be arrested, and while they are monkeying with him we must get out of the way.  I told the poor devil I would write a letter to some paper, I think I said the Globe-Democrat, which would clear him, but we must make ourselves safe first.

“Dan, you must get to Leavenworth, find Cook, and have him plant what you have.  Haight will go to Chicago and know what to do, while I—­well--I am going south for my health.”

Stopping abruptly he drew his revolver, and stepping up to Moriarity, placed the cold muzzle to his temple.  His eyes, cold as steel and sharp as an arrow, were fastened upon Dan’s very heart, and speaking with terrible earnestness, he said: 

“Dan Moriarity, if ever you break faith with me, I’ll kill you like a cur, so help me God!”

Moriarity stood the ordeal without flinching, and holding his right hand above his head, took a solemn oath never to betray, by word or deed, the trust which had been placed in him.

Without another word each man carefully placed his particular charge securely about his person.  Every scrap of paper was gathered up, and, after extinguishing the fire, the three men left the cave, and in the dawn of the early morning descended to the railroad track.