"I don't see him anywhere," said the ferryman with a glance, half of
astonishment and half of curiosity, at his solitary passenger.

"See whom?" asked Clarence carelessly, as he handed the man his promised
fee.

"The other man I ferried over to catch the stage. He must have gone on
without waiting. You're in luck, young fellow!"

"I don't understand you," said Clarence impatiently. "What has your
previous passenger to do with me?"

"Well, I reckon you know best. He's the kind of man, gin'rally speaking,
that other men, in a pow'ful hurry, don't care to meet--and, az a rule,
don't FOLLER arter. It's gin'rally the other way."

"What do you mean?" inquired Clarence sternly. "Of whom are you
speaking?"

"The Chief of Police of San Francisco!"





CHAPTER II.


The laugh that instinctively broke from Clarence's lips was so sincere
and unaffected that the man was disconcerted, and at last joined in