This was a revelation which they had been far from expecting, as their belief in their father's high standing and honor was so great that it would have survived anything but such a rude shock as this. "In about an hour's time," Mrs. Smithers went on, "your father will be here with a coach, and we start for Omaha. Where we shall go from there I can't tell, but if you are wise you will help me to pack and make the best of this misfortune instead of grumbling any more." Harold and Alice now hung down their heads for shame, and did not utter another remark to their mother, though they conversed together in a low tone. At five o'clock everything was ready, and when the coach drove up the trunks were put outside and the family occupied the interior. They proceeded to the railway depot, all being silent and anxious. Smithers had been obliged to sacrifice his furniture for a small sum to a neighbor whom he could trust, and with all his worldly wealth in his pocket, amounting to about a thousand dollars, he started for that part of the American Continent known as the West. Omaha was reached without any interference on the part of the telegraph, which seemed to indicate that if his employers had actually discovered his guilt, they either did not intend to prosecute him or could not discover where he had gone. Three days were spent in Omaha, during which time Smithers made up his mind, according to information he had received, to locate in Silver City, a rising mining town in Nevada. The distance between Silver City and the nearest railroad station was fifty miles or thereabouts. When about halfway toward Silver City they met a man on horseback, riding at speed. He had lost his hat, and appeared to be in the utmost haste to leave some person or persons behind. Seeing the approaching wagon, he drew rein, and Smithers stopped to talk to him, hoping to gain some information as to the state of the road and general condition of the country. It had been hinted to him in more than one quarter that a band of lawless depredators occupied a valley or pass in the hills known as Dead Snake Canyon. CHAPTER XVI. OUT WEST. As the stranger approached Smithers had an opportunity of observing that he was about the middle age, bronzed by exposure to the weather, and attired as befitted a raiser of stock or a farmer. "Good-day," exclaimed Smithers. "What's the good word?" "Good-day to you, stranger," answered the horseman. "I've nothing that I'd like to tell you, but whether it scares you or not, I reckon it's my duty to put you on your guard." "Against what?" "A thieving son of a gun who keeps in Dead Snake Canyon, which isn't more than three miles ahead of you." "Is he a robber?" "You bet he is," was the answer. "Though I didn't think he'd rob me, as I'm one of the boys myself. There isn't a man this side of the Rocky Mountains who doesn't know Joe Brady, the gambler." "But, Mr. Brady," exclaimed Smithers, "did he try to stop you?"