smilingly:--

"I am Henry Dimwood, alias Snapshot Harry, and this is my house."

"I came to speak with you about the robbery of greenbacks from the coach
last night," began Brice hurriedly, with a sudden access of hope at his
reception. "I mean, of course,"--he stopped and hesitated,--"the actual
robbery before YOU stopped us."

"What!" said Harry, springing to his feet, "do you mean to say YOU knew
it?"

Brice's heart sank, but he remained steadfast and truthful. "Yes," he
said, "I knew it when I handed down the box. I saw that the lock had
been forced, but I snapped it together again. It was my fault. Perhaps I
should have warned you, but I am solely to blame."

"Did Yuba Bill know of it?" asked the highwayman, with singular
excitement.

"Not at the time, I give you my word!" replied Brice quickly, thinking
only of loyalty to his old comrade. "I never told him till we reached
the station."

"And he knew it then?" repeated Harry eagerly.

"Yes."

"Did he say anything? Did he do anything? Did he look astonished?"