He noted that the visitor was addressed as “Mr. Hale,” and he wondered if he were the well-known lawyer of whom he had heard. This gentleman asked Ben several questions in relation to his plan; and although his eyes and voice were kind, the boy’s sensitive spirit shrank under the tone of the questioner. The amusement in his eyes seemed to foretell the failure of the venture. The attention of the chief being called to other matters, he sent for a deputy to whom he referred Ben’s case. This official, also, appeared to be much interested in Ben’s private affairs, and plied him with questions, some of which were, apparently, irrelevant. Nettled, he knew not why, by the man’s manner and questions, Ben finally asserted himself. “I bought the property to work over for what I could get out of it,” he said. “By accident I found a lot of opium hidden on the premises, and I expect to get the thirty-three per cent. which the law allows.” The look which accompanied this speech said plainer than words, “Now, what are you going to do about it?” Mr. Cutter meditatively regarded the speaker. “We’ll set a watch there to-night and catch some of the gang if we can,” he finally remarked. “You’re a pretty smart boy,”--he brought his hand down on Ben’s shoulder,--“can you keep a secret?” Ben nodded. “See that you do, then. And caution the friend who was with you to tell no one,--absolutely no one. Such news goes like wildfire.” “We wouldn’t be apt to tell and run the risk of losing the reward.” “Umph! Some folks couldn’t keep a secret if their lives depended upon it. That’s all,” he curtly added. “When I want you I’ll send for you.” Without knowing why, Ben mistrusted this man. “Cutter is your name, and I sha’n’t forget you,” he said to himself, as he retraced his steps to North Beach. Mundon was anxiously awaiting his return. “Did they snub you? Did you see the head?” he asked. Ben related his experience. “You were in luck to see the Collector,” commented Mundon. “My belief is that the chief’s all right in such cases,--a big man who won’t stoop to no dirty business and who’ll listen to a feller’s story and treat him fair. He’s got a sense of what he’s ben put in office for, by the people, to serve the people. But a smarty clerk who takes delight in snubbing the people who really give him his bread and butter--deliver me from him! He’s gen’rally a failure, a ne’er-do-well, who’s got his place through his second cousin’s husband havin’ a pull, and because he couldn’t support himself and had to be taken care of by his family,--and he just thinks he runs this whole government.” “They’ll be here about dark, I suppose,” Ben remarked. “I’m going to watch, too.” “Well, I think I’ll be excused,” Mundon remarked. “In my opinion, there ain’t one chance in a hundred of their catchin’ ’em.” “Why shouldn’t they catch them if they come back here for the opium?” Ben innocently inquired.