“And my instructions?” asked the inspector.

“To play the spy, as usual!” cried a gruff voice, within a few feet of us, on the outside of the building.

CHAPTER XLIX.

CATCHING A TARL AS WELL AS A CASSIOWARY.

We started up in such surprise and rapidity, that the inspector stumbled and fell head foremost against Steel Spring, striking the latter full in his stomach, and sending him, like a cannon ball, out of the back entrance of the store amidst the horses, stabled there in company with Rover, for security.

Before the scamp could gain his feet, the dog, still entertaining a little animosity against his old enemy, flew at him, and with a vigorous bite tore off a portion of his pants, where they were the fullest, and then luckily desisted from further damage, probably not liking the taste.

“Some one has been listening!” exclaimed the lieutenant, rushing towards the front door, followed by the inspector and Fred, while I proceeded to the relief of Steel Spring, who made more noise than all the rest of us.

“There he goes—­follow him!” shouted Murden, as a form was seen to run towards the river, although the night was too dark to distinguish who it was; and after running a few yards, the pursuers returned completely baffled, and bewildered at the turn affairs had taken.

“What is to be done now?” asked Mr. Brown, with a bewildered air.

“Vy, I shall have to get a new pair of pants, I s’pose,” answered Steel Spring, who imagined that the conversation was addressed to him.

“Silence, you fool; we are in no humor for jesting,” returned Mr. Brown, angrily.

“I don’t think it any joke to have a big dog tear ye, and spile new clothes,” Steel Spring muttered, although not loud enough for Mr. Brown to hear.

“Some person has overheard our plans, and the miners will be forewarned,” Murden said.  “Who would have supposed that an eavesdropper was concealed within hearing?”

“But what is to be done?” reiterated Mr. Brown.

“There is where I need advice myself,” the lieutenant answered looking first upon Fred and then upon myself, as though desirous of our opinions.

There was an ominous pause, but at length Fred concluded to speak in relation to the matter, and his remarks were received with attention.

“This mining tax,” he said, “is one that will have to be abolished before many months, because it is oppressive, and applies to all without distinction.  The miner who digs his fifty pounds of nuggets per week, or the one who does not get gold enough to make a finger ring, are compelled to conform to the law; and as there are more blanks than prizes in this lottery—­for gold digging is but a lottery—­of course the poorer class feel that they are aggrieved, and desire an equalization law, so that a man can pay according to his earnings.