He was alone in the world--he, who a few short hours before had been blessed with the happy companionship of wife and children. It was almost more than he could bear. Mechanically he sought in the wagon for a shovel, and in a listless manner began to dig a grave. The coyotes had smelt blood, and were barking at a distance. Overhead flew the lazy buzzards, for their instinct, too, told them that death was near. An hour's work made the grave deep enough for the body, and reverentially he laid it in. When he had filled it up with earth he sought for stones and piled a rough cairn over all that remained of the once haughty and spoiled child, Harold. Dropping a tear over the grave, Smithers struck the oxen with the whip, and the heavy wagon rolled sluggishly on toward Silver City. Deep down in his breast Smithers carried his weight of woe, and vainly tried to drown his load of grief and care by repeated draughts of fiery spirits. But the attempt was useless, for the fire in his heart was raging fiercely. CHAPTER XVIII. "WHO BREAKS, PAYS." The doctor listened to the complaint made by the son of the dead man, and assured him that he knew nothing of the theft of the corpse, when suddenly a piercing shriek was heard in the hallway. "That is my housekeeper's voice," said the doctor. "What has happened?" He rushed out of the room. "Miss Minks," exclaimed the doctor, meeting her in the passage, "why this excitement?" "Doctor," she answered, "some one has had the audacity to enter my sleeping apartment, and has actually got into my bed. I have spoken to him in vain, and am under the impression that he must be grossly intoxicated." Garretson, suspecting the truth, snatched the lamp from one hand, and entered the room. One glance at the bed showed him that his suspicions were well founded. When Miss Minks realized the fact that she had been speaking to a corpse, she sank into a chair and fainted away; but as nobody took the least notice of her she speedily came to, and contented herself with groaning terribly. It is probable that the mob would have done some serious injury to the doctor, notwithstanding the presence of the constable, had not Tommy come to the rescue. "I must own up," he said to Bobsey. "If you do, we shall be bounced," replied Bobsey; "and then what will we do?" "I can't help it," said Tommy, "a joke's a joke, but the doctor mustn't suffer for our fun." "You're a fool! Don't do it." "I'll have to," replied Tommy. Saying this he approached Mr. Garretson, and touched him on the shoulder. "If you please, sir!" he exclaimed, "I and another boy did this. The doctor knew nothing about it." Mr. Garretson regarded him angrily. "Where is the other boy?" he said. "You must both be punished for such an outrage on decency and propriety." Bobsey, however, wasn't to be found. The doctor was much relieved by Tommy's avowal, and said: