"No doubt you would, but, as it happens, I am not bound to respect or consult your wishes. No doubt you think you would have a better chance to escape if I let you go with me." "Yes," answered Dean demurely. "So I thought, and that is the very reason I can't gratify you. I can't be bothered with a boy I must constantly watch, though, for that matter, if you played me false again," he added sternly, "I shouldn't scruple to put a bullet through your head." He looked fiercely at Dean as if he meant it. Dean had no doubt that nothing but a fear of the consequences would deter him from the desperate act he hinted at, and he rejoiced more than ever that he had two stalwart friends so near at hand. There was a little more conversation between Kirby and Dan, and then Kirby rose to his feet. "Well, boy," he said abruptly, "it is time for us to be going." "Go if you like, Mr. Kirby!" said Dean quietly. "I prefer to remain where I am." "What, boy?" exclaimed Kirby angrily, "do you mean to defy us?" "I mean, Mr. Kirby, that you have no right to interfere with me, or to deprive me of my freedom." "No right, have I?" inquired Kirby in a sarcastic tone. "That is what I said." "Then, boy, you'd better not have said it. You won't fare any better for it, I can tell you that. Come, get up, and at once!" He leaned over, and grasping Dean by the collar pulled him roughly to his feet. The next moment, he thought he had been struck by lightning. He received a blow on the side of his head that stretched him full length on the ground. When he rose, vaguely wondering what had happened, he confronted not the boy he had assaulted, but a strong, athletic man, with a powerful frame, and a stern, resolute eye. This was Rawson, but he was not alone. Standing between Dean and Dan was another man, younger, but looking quite as powerful, Eben Jones, of Connecticut. "What do you mean by this outrage?" demanded Kirby, with a baffled look, gnawing his nether lip in abortive wrath. "That's a question for me to ask, stranger," retorted Rawson coolly. "What do you mean by assaulting this boy?" "What do I mean? He is my servant, who has deserted and deceived me." "Is this true, lad?" "No, it isn't. I came West with this man, as a secretary, not knowing his character. I found out that he was a thief and then I left him." "You shall answer for this, boy!" said Kirby, almost frothing at the mouth. "How dare you insult me?" "The boy is telling the truth. I make no doubt, if you call that insulting you," said Rawson. "He tells us you shut him up in a cave." "Yes, and I'll do it again." "Will you indeed? You are at liberty to try." "What have you got to do with the boy, any way?" "A good deal. We have just admitted him as a partner in our mining firm. You'll find us in Gilpin County if you want to call, though on the whole I wouldn't advise it, as we miners make short shrift of such fellows as you are."