It was the afternoon of the next day when Denver was reached, and a light rain was falling. Jack Wumble wished to put up at a hotel called the Miner's Rest, a favorite resort with men from the mining districts. He had been negotiating for the sale of one of his mines, and thought he could close the deal the next morning. "And then we'll be off for Larkspur Creek without further delay," was what he told Dick. CHAPTER XXI OFF FOR THE MINING DISTRICT While Jack Wumble was off attending to his private business the three Rover boys took a stroll through Denver. The city was different from any they had visited, and their walk was full of interest. Coming to a store in the window of which were exhibited a number of Indian curiosities, the boys halted to examine the objects, when Tom uttered a sudden cry. "Look, Dick! There is Bradner inside!" "Yes, and Dan Baxter is with him!" returned the elder brother quickly. "Here's luck, surely!" "Will you have them locked up?" asked Sam. "To be sure--if we can." The boys looked around for a policeman, but none happened to be in sight. "Run and see if you can find one," said Dick to Sam. "Tom and I can watch the pair." At once Sam made off. But policemen were not numerous, and it took quite some time to locate one and explain what was wanted. In the meantime Dan Baxter had caught sight of Tom and told Bradner of his discovery. Boy and man came out of the store in a great hurry. They were about to run off when Dick caught Bradner by the arm, while his brother halted the former bully of Putnam Hall. "Let go of me!" hissed Bradner, and as Dick paid no attention he aimed a blow for the youth's head. But Dick "had been there before," and dodged, and the force of his effort nearly took the rascal off his feet. Before he could recover Dick had him down on his back and was sitting on his chest. Tom was having a lively time with Dan Baxter. The bully hit the boy in the shoulder, and Tom retaliated with a sharp crack that landed straight on Baxter's nose and drew blood. "A fight! a fight!" yelled a passing newsboy, and as if by magic a crowd began to collect. Again Baxter struck out, but his blow fell short, and now Tom gave him one in the ear that spun him half around. By this time the bully felt that he had had enough of the encounter, and breaking through the crowd he set off on a mad run down the street and around the nearest comer. Feeling it would be useless to try to catch Dan Baxter just then, Tom turned his attention to Dick and Henry Bradner. Bradner was struggling hard to get up, but Dick was master of the situation, so Tom had little to do. "What's the meaning of this?" demanded the policeman, as soon as he came upon the scene. "I want this man arrested," answered Dick, as he got up, but still kept close to Bradner. "What has he done?" "He is a sharper of the worst kind." "You are sure of this?" "I am--"