It was a happy time," he went on with a grimly affected sigh, disregarding his companion's impatient gesture.

"You were young then, waging YOUR fight against society, and fresh--uncommonly fresh, I may say--from your first exploit.

And a very stupid, clumsy, awkward exploit, too, Mr.Riggs, if you will pardon my freedom.

You wanted money, and you had an ugly temper, and you had lost both to a gambler; so you stopped the coach to rob him, and had to kill two men to get back your paltry thousand dollars, after frightening a whole coach-load of passengers, and letting Wells, Fargo, and Co.'s treasure-box with fifty thousand dollars in it slide.

It was a stupid, a blundering, a CRUEL act, Mr.Riggs, and I think I told you so at the time.