“So we want to change tactics for a little while; that is, we want to get them two people out of my cellar into a safer place. We thought of you. Knowing that really you are of our class, we come hyer; and I’m glad to find we wasn’t mistaken.” The stranger smiled, apparently pleased by the compliment which allied him with all the thugs and toughs of Blossom Range. “Show me my duty and I’ll do it,” he said; “that is, if there’s good money in it.” “A thousand dollars a week,” said the saloon keeper; “and I’ll give you five hundred of it right now, if you’re willin’. Besides, you can, if your place back there is really secure enough to hold our prisoners, keep on beating the fools at my gaming tables, and go right ahead, too, with your hold-up work; though, in that last, there is so much danger that I’d like to have you drop it till this thing blows over. It will be safer for you, if you do.” “At least vhile Buffalo Bill is here!” said White-eyed Moses. “Then you’re going to let him live?” cried Uncle Sam, in mockery. “I am nodt shoking!” Moses protested, flinging out his hands. “Same here. I was never in a more serious humor in my life.” “Can we bring them up here to-night?” Gopher Gabe asked. “If you like, and think it’s safe.” “I want to see the hole back there first; that will help me to decide the matter.” Uncle Sam arose, and took the lamp from the table. “Just follow me, gents, and I’ll show you as cunning a fox den as you ever looked into.” He led the way into the back room, where he pushed on a concealed panel, which slid to one side under his pressure, revealing a black hole that was seen to be a passage. This they entered, the man going ahead with the light, after closing the secret door behind them. A few yards of the tunnel admitted them to a small chamber in the earth. “The tenderfoot gophered this out, and thought to make a fortune,” Uncle Sam explained. Gopher Gabe looked it over with interest, and estimated the distance to the cabin. “I reckon they could holler a long time in hyer without bein’ heard beyond your cabin,” he said. “Until they was black in the face, and nobody’d ever hear ’em.” “Idt seems,” said the fiddler, “shust the t’ing ve are vanting.” “I reckon,” said Uncle Sam, “if you’re lookin’ for a close cage to hold your birds in you see it right here. I’ll take care of ’em for you; for that thousand a week, you bet!” When they had looked the place over thoroughly and discussed it, they went back to Uncle Sam’s cabin. Gopher Gabe looked at the hidden door, which appeared to be the same as the rest of the wall. “I think it will do,” he said. He stripped off some bills, from a roll he drew from his pocket, and passed them to the man of the blond hair. “Five hundred,” he said; “count it; you’ll get the other five at the end of the week.” The stranger slipped the bank bills through his fingers quickly, then put them in his wallet.