He walked his horse down the street past the jail and the resort and almost to the end of the line of buildings where he arrived before the small, one-story, two-room structure which was Sautee's office and abode. The place was dark. Rathburn dismounted and led his horse into the dark shadow at the side of the little building. Then he went around to the front, and, drawing his gun from his waistband, he rapped smartly on the door with its butt and dropped it into his holster. There was no movement within, and Rathburn rapped again and tried the door. It was locked. A match flared into flame somewhere beyond the front room. A glow of light followed. Rathburn, looking through the front window, saw a door open wide and made out the form of Sautee as the mines manager came forward to the front door. "Who is it?" Sautee called cautiously. "Rathburn." After a moment a key turned in the lock and the door opened part way. Rathburn pushed his way in. "Why--didn't you _go_?" asked Sautee in excited tones. "Lock the door an' come in the other room," whispered Rathburn. "I've got something to tell you that'll knock you for a goal." Sautee hurriedly locked the door, and, as he turned to lead the way into the other room, Rathburn deftly extracted the key. In the light from the lamp in the bedroom Sautee swung on his visitor and looked at him keenly. The mines manager was fully dressed, and the bed was made. It was evident that he had merely dozed on top of the covers with his clothes on. These things Rathburn noted even as Sautee surveyed him with a frown. "Well, what is it?" snapped out Sautee. Rathburn blinked in the light. "I--I was held up," he said sheepishly. The mines manager stared. First he stared into Rathburn's eyes, and then he glanced to the gun in the holster on his thigh. "Couldn't have been very much afraid of you," he said sneeringly. "I see they didn't even take your gun." "It all come from my not knowin' enough about the trails, I guess," Rathburn explained lamely. "Got me on the far end of the hogback. Two of 'em. Had their guns in my face before I knew it. Couldn't have drawed if I wanted to. They'd have shot me out of the saddle in a wink. All I could do was hand over the package an' beat it." "And they said you were a gunman," said Sautee in derision. "How do _I_ know anybody stopped you and robbed you? Maybe you've come back here with that story to cover up the theft of the money. I guess I made a mistake in ever thinking of trusting a man of your caliber." "I was afraid of that," said Rathburn. "I was afraid if anything like this was to happen you might think I was lying and was taking the money myself. But I fooled 'em, Mr. Sautee," he finished in triumph. "What's that?" Sautee asked sharply. "Look here," cried Rathburn excitedly as he took off his hat and recovered the package he had put in it before starting toward the mine.