It never occurred to Westcott on his escape through the darkness that his night's adventure would in any way endanger Miss Donovan.

He was on the property of La Rosita Mining Company upon his own account, and not in reference to the Cavendish Case at all--or, at least, this last was merely incidental.
To be sure he had listened to a confession from Enright bearing directly upon the affair in New York, a confession so strange he could scarcely grasp its true meaning.

But this never brought to his mind the thought that suspicion already rested upon the girl's presence in Haskell.

His whole interest centred for the moment on Lacy's daring attempt to break through the wall of rock below and lay claim to his lead of ore.

Not until this effort had been abandoned would he dare to desert his mine--and even then safety could be assured only by the establishment of an armed guard in the tunnel prepared to repel any invasion.
While undoubtedly the mining law of the State would eventually sustain his claim, yet the fact that he had for so long kept his discovery secret would seriously operate against him; while, if Lacy's gang once acquired actual possession of the property, the only way of proving prior ownership would be through an official survey and long protracted proceedings in court.
Here he would be at great disadvantage because of lack of money and influence.