"Dr. Carson, he's headed for Deadwood, and I'm going after him to bring him back." Belle stood up with sudden decision. The need for action once more present, all her strength responded. The doctor shook his head. "I don't think you should go. You know what all the town would say." "You are going with me," was the answer. "When?" "Right now." "Better go home first." "And have a fight with my folks? No, no! We go now. I have an aunt in Deadwood, you know!" "It's forty-five miles, and we can't get there till midnight, even if my horse holds out." "We may overtake him before that," said Belle, though she knew quite well they would not, for Hartigan would ride like a madman. It had not been difficult to enlist Carson's sympathies. A sincere friendship had sprung up between the boyish preacher and himself and their total dissimilarity had made them congenial. Carson was amused in his quiet way to note how exactly Belle was moving as he thought best and surest, so now he merely added: "Deadwood it is," and with a farewell word to the Bylows they were off. CHAPTER XX The Memorable Trip to Deadwood It was a long, hard journey, and it was one o'clock in the morning before they reached Deadwood. Every public house that could get a license to sell liquor announced itself as a "hotel." Those few that could not, made a virtue of their failure and flaunted a sign, "Temperance House." The "wet houses" were on the main gulch, the "dry" ones in off nooks, or perched on breezy hills. To the best of these latter the doctor drove, had the luck to find the owner still on duty, and secured a room for himself. Then they drove to the home of Belle's aunt, Mrs. Collins. One has to take a hotel on its rules; but a relative may be called up and inconvenienced at any time. "Well, Auntie, it's Belle Boyd. I want you to take care of me till the morning. I will tell you all about it later," this to the inquiring head that emerged from an upper window. So Belle was left and the doctor went to his hotel. Up very early next morning, Belle went at once to the stable of the Temperance House. Yes, there he was, Blazing Star, in all his beauty. Then she went into the hotel and mounted guard in the little parlour. Dr. Carson came down and was sent to sit out of doors. At length the sound of the foot she awaited came from the stairs and she heard the landlady say: "There's some one in the parlour waiting for you." For a moment there was no sound; then the footsteps approached. Belle was at the window looking out, partly hidden by the cheap lace curtains. As the Preacher entered, she turned fully toward him. Her back was to the light and he did not immediately perceive her. Then with a gasp: "Belle!" and, sinking into a chair, he covered his face with his hands.