Still, it was something to obtain a
clue. Perhaps at Murphy's he might get a trace of Dewey, and,
following it up, find him at last.
"How far is Murphy's from here?" he asked.
"Two hundred miles, I reckon."
"Then I'd better go there first."
"Not ef you want to find gold. There's other places that's better,
and not so far away."
"It may be so, but I care more to find Richard Dewey than to find
gold in plenty."
"You said he wasn't a friend of yours?" said the miner, in some
surprise.
"No; I don't know him, but I am engaged by a friend of his to find
him. That friend will pay; my expenses while I am on the road."
"Has Dewey come into a fortin?" asked the miner. "Has a rich uncle
died and left him all his pile?"
"Not that I know of," answered Ben.
"Then there's a woman in it?" said his new acquaintance, in a tone
of conviction. "It's his sweetheart that wants to find him. I'm
right. Yes, I know it. But there's one thing that I can't see
through."
"What is that?"
"Why does the gal-if it is a gal-send a boy like you on the trail?"
"Suppose there was no one else to send," suggested Ben.
"That makes it a little plainer. Where is the gal?"
"Ought I to confide in this man?" thought Ben.
Pages:
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90