"Bring the baggage belonging to this lady, and her side-saddle and bridle, also," called out the leader. The men disappeared, and Doctor Dick asked: "Do you expect to keep up your lawless acts much longer without meeting the fate you deserve, Sir Outlaw?" "Yes, for the money I get is worth taking big chances for, Doctor Dick, and, gambler that you are, you never do a better day's work than what sum this gold calls for." "It is a long lane that has no turn, and the turn will come for you some day," said Harding. A light laugh beneath the mask was the answer, and Celeste Seldon's face wore a clouded expression Harding was not slow to observe. "Then I am free to go, sir?" and Celeste turned to the outlaw. "You are, Miss Seldon," was the answer. She turned to the coach, and Doctor Dick aided her into it, just as the two outlaws came up with the small leather trunk she had brought with her and her saddle and bridle. Taking the back seat, Celeste leaned up in one corner, as though fatigued, and her baggage having been put on top, Dick and Harding mounted to the box, the outlaws attentively regarding them through the eye-holes in their masks. "Remember, pards, I still drive this trail," said the driver, with an air of defiance as he gathered up the reins. "I won't forget, Harding; but I advise you to keep in mind the story of the pitcher that went once too often to the well, for right here some day you may meet your fate." "If I do, you will not find me flinch from it," was the plucky response, and the driver called to his horses, and the team moved on. Looking back at the bend, the driver and Doctor Dick saw that the outlaws had already disappeared, while Celeste Seldon, gazing back also, noted the same fact, and murmured to herself: "What yet is before me, I wonder?" CHAPTER XXXI. DOCTOR DICK TELLS THE NEWS. When the coach had got well away from the Dead Line, Harding gave a deep sigh of relief, for the first time feeling that Celeste was safe, and would not be retaken by the outlaws. "Well, Doc, she's safe now, and we didn't lose our scalps," he said. "It is a cause of congratulation all round, Harding." "Now, Doctor Dick, _you_ have got to tell the young lady about the poor crazy fellow." "Did you not tell her?" "That his wound had crazed him, yes; but that is not the worst of it." "Ah, yes, you mean that he has been captured?" "I cannot say that, Doc; but he has mysteriously disappeared." "Well, you wish me to break the news to her?" "I do, for I can't tell her what I know will hurt her, and it won't do for her to hear it from the men when she arrives in Last Chance." "I guess you are right, pard, so draw up, and I'll take a seat inside the coach, and tell her the news." "Be very gentle, Doc, for I have an idea she loves that young man." "I'll break it to her as gently as I can," was the response, and as Harding drew rein a moment after, Doctor Dick sprang down from the box, and said: