"Four years - and for the last two, no word. I must find George Taylor.
Perhaps he - "

"Dearie, George Taylor is with Dick, and the Skinners and Cherokee Bob
and Lame Jim Driscoll. They say, too, that at times Dick rides with Tom
Bell's gang."

"Ah, he tried with all a strong man's power to win a new name for
himself - and for you - but Fate was too strong. His false record
followed him up and down the state from every idle throat, casting a
blight over all he sought to, do. Every sheriff hounded him on. Each
unproven crime was laid at his door."

"But why did he not come to me? Oh, he had my whole heart, and he knew
it."

"He did come to you two years ago, to ask if you would return to Canada
with him, hoping that it was too far for tales from California to
travel. As soon as he reached San Francisco he was recognized by one of
the authorities and 'shown up' by the Vigilante Committee in the Plaza,
as they put up all dangerous characters for the police and the people to
see.

"And whilst he was there you passed, walking with another man, and
looked him in the eyes and knew him not. 'Twas that which broke his
heart and made him the reckless and brilliant devil that he is today."

"But - but," cried the Singer-Lady, recovering from the daze these words
had placed upon her, "I did not pass. Oh, I should have fallen at his