he is as much of a mystery as the sick one!"

Our hero's curiosity was now aroused to the highest pitch, and when the
two men walked up to David Ball's room he followed to the very doorway.

"Come in," came from the room, and a deep groan followed. On the bed
lay the man from Montana, wrapped in several blankets and with a look of
anguish on his features.

"Feeling pretty bad, eh?" said Anderson, as he stalked in. "I am
downright sorry for you."

"I'm afraid I am going to die," groaned the man in bed. "The doctor says
I am in bad shape. He wants me to take a trip to Europe, or somewhere
else."

"This is Mr. Maurice Vane," went on Anderson. "We won't trouble you any
more than is necessary, Mr. Ball."

"I am sorry to disturb you," said Maurice Vane. He was a kindly looking
gentleman. "Perhaps we had better defer this business until some other
time."

"Oh, no, one time is as bad as another," came with another groan from
the bed. "Besides, I admit I need money badly. If it wasn't for that--".
The man in bed began to cough. "Say, shut the door," he went on, to the
first man who had come in.

The door was closed, and for the time being Joe heard no more of the
conversation.