with our whole force, and a man that can do that as long as you did is
remarkably clever," and Mr. Pinkerton smiled admiringly at the man who
sat before him. Puzzled at the words, and trying to see beneath the
surface, Dan said: "Oh! come now, stop your chaffing, I won't squeal,
and you can't make me. What do you want me for anyway?"

Mr. Pinkerton's face became stern, and dropping the tone of levity which
he had employed, he opened the letter Sam had forged, and suddenly
handing it to Dan, said:

"We want to know if what Jim Cummings says there is true."

Somewhat impressed by Mr. Pinkerton's manner, Dan commenced to read the
letter.

At first he hardly understood its purport, but slowly the realization of
his friend's treachery came over him, and springing to his feet he
brought his fist down on his chair and shouted in angry tones:

"It's a damned lie!"

Without noticing the baliff or the detectives, he paced the floor with
angry strides, his eyes flashing and the veins in his forehead swelling
until they stood out like whip cords.

The baliff, at a sign from Mr. Pinkerton, stationed himself at the door,
but too excited to notice the movement, Dan continued to walk to and fro
like a caged lion.

"That is why he gave himself up, the coward--the lying turn-tale! The