They had been arrested by stratagem two days before. As Howard and Lowry were escaped convicts from the California penitentiary, they naturally supposed that they had been arrested upon recognition, to be returned for their unexpired terms. This they were planning to escape by bribing the officers, whom they had told of their deposit in the mint, denying at the same time that Page had any interest in it. When, therefore, the chief of police entered the cell, and turned on the gas, disclosing the presence of Hill Beachy, had Magruder himself appeared, they would not have been more astonished. With dismay pictured upon his countenance, Howard was the first to break that ominous silence by a question intended either to confirm their worst fears, or re-animate their hopes of escape. “Well, old man,” said he, gazing fixedly upon Beachy, “what brought you down here?” “You did,” was the instant reply. “What for, pray?” persisted Howard, assuming an indifferent air. “The murder of Lloyd Magruder and Charley Allen.” The eyes of the questioner dropped. He drew a long breath. A deadly pallor stole over his face. “That’s a rich note,” said Lowry, affecting to laugh. “We left Magruder at Bannack, well and hearty.” “We shall see. Good-night, boys,” said Beachy, and he offered each his hand. Page clasped his hand heartily, and, by several scratches upon the palm, signified that he had something which he wished to communicate. Four weeks were spent in San Francisco, in the effort to obtain the custody of the prisoners. As fast as one court would decide to surrender them, another would grant a writ of _habeas corpus_ for a new examination. At length the Supreme Court of the State decided in favor of their surrender to the authorities of Idaho for trial. In anticipation of a series of similar legal delays in Oregon, Beachy, before leaving, obtained from General Wright, the commander of the Department of the Pacific, an order upon the military post of the Columbia, directing an escort to meet the prisoners at the mouth of the river, and deliver them with all possible despatch to the civil authorities at Lewiston.