The mystery was plain now.
And for the present he could fairly accept his good luck, and trust to later fortune to justify himself.
Transformed in his new garb, he left his lodgings to present himself once more to his possible employer.

His way led past one of the large gambling saloons.

It was yet too early to find the dry-goods trader disengaged; perhaps the consciousness of more decent, civilized garb emboldened him to mingle more freely with strangers, and he entered the saloon.

He was scarcely abreast of one of the faro tables when a man suddenly leaped up with an oath and discharged a revolver full in his face.

The shot missed.