“Will some one get my coat?” A member of the party brought it to him, and assisted him in putting it on. He trembled so much with fear that it was with difficulty he could get his arms into the sleeves. While the party was searching him to ascertain if he was armed, he said, “You disturbed me in the first meal I have sat down to with any appetite in six weeks.” “Finish your dinner,” said the leader. “We will wait for you.” “Thank you; you are very kind, but I can eat no more. What do you intend doing with me? Will I be hung?” “We are not here to promise you anything. You had better prepare for the worst.” “My friends advised me to leave two or three days ago.” “You would probably have done well had you followed their advice. Why didn’t you go?” “Because I had done nothing wrong, and did not wish to leave.” It is probable that but for the blandishments of a fascinating mistress, the memory of Dillingham’s murder would have dictated to this ruffian an earlier and more successful effort at escape. “Have you heard of the execution of Plummer, Stinson, and Ray?” asked the leader. “Yes; but I don’t believe the report is true.” “You may bet your sweet life on’t.” “Did they make any resistance?” “No; they had no opportunity.” Arriving at the committee-room, the prisoner was immediately confronted with the officers. “We have condemned you to death for the murder of Dillingham, and being associated in membership with Plummer’s band of road agents. Have you anything to say in extenuation?” “That I am not guilty. I have committed no crimes, and formed no associations that call for such severity. I am as innocent as you are.” And yet, but a short time before, the wretched man had confessed to a leader of one of the police committees, in presence of several witnesses, that he was the murderer of Dillingham. His complicity with Plummer’s band was known to all. Scarcely was Lyons’s examination concluded, when word was brought to the Committee that two suspicious persons, who had gone hurriedly to Highland district, three miles above Virginia City, the evening before, were concealed in one of the unoccupied cabins there. An officer with fifteen men was sent to arrest them. They were disarmed, and brought before the Committee, but, no evidence appearing against them, they were discharged. The examination being over, preparations were made for the execution of the convicts. These were very simple. The central cross-beam of an unfinished log store, cornering upon two of the principal streets, was selected for a scaffold. The building was roofless, and its spacious open front exposed the interior to the full view of the crowd. The ropes, five in number, were drawn across the beam to a proper length, and fastened firmly to the logs in the rear basement. Under each noose was placed a large, empty dry-goods box, with cord attached, for the drops.