"At last!" the speculator cried, and he bounded forward, and seized his enemy by the throat. Gregg clinched with him, and the two men rolled to the ground, in a fierce struggle, the lurid light of the burning building lighting up the scene like unto the colored fire to some wild exciting drama. CHAPTER XIII. CONCLUSION. The struggle was short and decisive. Supple though the younger Gregg was, he was no match for the man from Leadville, and it was not long ere Mr. Thornton had his man pinned firmly beneath him, so that he could not move. By this time the villagers had arrived upon the scene, in numbers, and stood contemplating the scene, in wonder. "What is the matter here?" one of them demanded, stepping forward. "Who set fire to this building?" "That I am not prepared to say, as I just came," Mr. Thornton replied, "but I know that I have captured one of the worst villains living. Is there an officer of the law among you? If so, I want him to take this devil into immediate custody, and watch well that he don't escape." "I am a constable, but I must first know what charge you have against this young man of highly respected family," another villager said. "Charges enough to hang him higher than Haman, if you like," the speculator cried. "He has my daughter imprisoned somewhere, in hopes of extorting money from me; he is wanted in Leadville, Colorado, for no less than three cold-blooded murders, and also for horse-theft, and I've got papers to show for it!" "It's a lie! It's a mistake! This man is crazy!" young Gregg shouted. "I appeal to you for protection, gentlemen!" "Protection you shall have, sir, by law, if you deserve it!" the constable replied, slipping a pair of hand-cuffs upon the young man's wrists. "Now, sir"--to Mr. Thornton--"permit me to examine your papers." The speculator drew a package of documents from an inside coat-pocket, and the officer gave them a critical examination. "They are all right," he said, returning them. "For the present, I will leave the scoundrel in your charge--until I recover my lost daughter!" Mr. Thornton said. "That you will never do, curse you!" Griffith Gregg hissed, savagely. "You've sealed her doom, in tackling me, and you may as well put a mourning band around your hat." "What! do you dare to tell me my daughter is in peril, sir?" "Well, that remains to be told. It is according to whether I am released or not. If not, most assuredly you will never see her or the money she stole, for if I am to answer for all the charges you have preferred against me, I can just as well add a few more, without any inconvenience." "We shall see about that. I think a rigid search will find her. Officer, remove him to a place of safety, until I determine upon a future course of action." The constable accordingly took his departure, marching the younger Gregg with him. The fire had by this time gained great headway.