He examined the watch, and decided that its value was probably not far from a hundred dollars. In fact, the old man had bought it in St. Louis, and had selected a high-priced article. It did occur to Burns that perhaps he had better remain satisfied with what he had got, for the watch would probably bring him fifty dollars at a sacrifice sale; but the temptation to stay was too strong. "It would be a sin to give up such a fine chance," he reflected. "There's next to no risk, and I may get two hundred dollars." Then he began to consider what he would do in that case. He decided that he would go to San Francisco, and see what pickings he could find there. He had already found out that mining men and others in the far West were more careless about their money than those in the East, probably because money came easier. "I did well when I came out here," he said to himself in a tone of congratulation. "I'll make hay while the sun shines." Meanwhile, though he did not know it, his visit was expected, and preparations were being made to receive him. After supper Luke Robbins came to the store and held a conference with Ernest. "I am going to pass the night with you, lad," he said. "I wish you would, Luke." "I want to help you do the honors to my old friend Burns." "Perhaps he won't call." "If he knows what's best for him he won't, but he will be like the foolish moth, and won't be contented till he has singed his wings. I will look about me and see where to bestow myself for the night." Ernest occupied a bed in the rear of the store, just behind one of the counters. It was near a window in the rear of the building. "I'll take that bed, Ernest, and you can find another place." "Shall I fasten the window?" "No. I am going to make it easy for my friend, Burns, to get in. Whether he will find it as easy to get out will be another matter." Nothing was said to the miners about the presence of a thief in the settlement. At that time there was no toleration for thieves. The punishment visited upon them was short, sharp and decisive. The judge most in favor was Judge Lynch, and woe be to the offender who ventured to interfere with the rights of property. Had Luke breathed a word about Burns, half a dozen miners would have volunteered to stand guard, and would thus have interfered with Tom Burns's visit. "I want to keep all the fun to myself, Ernest," said Luke. "We'll give him a lesson he won't soon forget. If I told the boys they'd hang him up in short order. I don't want to take the fellow's life, but I'll give him a first-class scare." It was about ten minutes of twelve when Tom Burns, leaving his place of concealment, walked with eager steps toward the mining settlement. The one street was not illuminated, for Oreville had not got along as far as that. The moon gave an indistinct light, relieving the night of a part of its gloom. Burns looked from one cabin to another with a wistful glance.