"Where is the money?" Before Harding could reply, Doctor Dick said sternly: "A truce to this nonsensical parleying. I have the money, and will pay it over when the young lady is given into my charge, but not before. Where is she?" The road-agent seemed impressed by the stern words of Doctor Dick, and responded: "I will go and fetch her, while you turn your coach around." This Harding at once did, and coming to a halt again, Doctor Dick got down from the box, and the bag of gold was handed to him by Harding. There was a wait of a few minutes, and then out from among the pines in the pass came a man, followed by Celeste Seldon, a few feet behind him. As she approached the spot, she waved her hand to Harding, and said pleasantly: "We meet again, my good friend." "And mighty glad am I that we do, miss. Permit me to introduce to you the boss man of Last Chance, Doctor Dick, and he is here with the money to pay your ransom." Doctor Dick doffed his sombrero, bowed low, and then stepped forward, as Celeste held out her hand to him, and said in his courtly way: "I am happy in meeting Miss Seldon and receiving her in the name of the miners of Last Chance." The outlaw who accompanied Celeste was masked completely, and his form enveloped in a black robe that effectually concealed it. He stepped toward Doctor Dick, and said: "You, sir, have the ransom money for the return of this young lady?" "I have gold amounting to the sum demanded." "See here, Doc, I don't see why we should be robbed by one man, so let us run him in, now we have the young lady, and we will not have to pay the gold," and Harding suddenly covered the outlaw with his revolver. "No, no!" cried Celeste. "That will never do." "No, Harding, we must keep faith with him, even if he be a murderer and a thief. Put up your gun," said Doctor Dick. The masked outlaw had not moved at the action of Harding, but now said: "You wisely decide, Doctor Dick, for I am no fool to be caught in a trap, and I trust no man, so came prepared to meet treachery if it was intended, and this young lady will tell you that my men are within easy range, and you, Harding, in covering me with your revolver, took big chances." "I didn't believe you would come alone, and we were fools to do so, for we could have fought it out right here," grumbled the driver, greatly disappointed at his not carrying out his suddenly determined upon plot. The road-agent then took the bag, opened it, ran over the gold like one who knew its value, and then said: "Yes, there is the amount here, no more, no less. Ask Miss Seldon if she has not been treated with marked respect." "I can but answer yes, for I have been; but am I not to have my trunk and side-saddle?" "Oh, yes, certainly," and the road-agent gave a signal, which was promptly answered by two men appearing in the edge of the pines. They wore long black robes and red masks, also, and their appearance was proof that their leader had not come alone.