Accordingly I asked a neighbor to accompany me.
THE TRAP ALMOST DETECTED.
Although I was not then aware of this fact, it would seem that previous to my request this same neighbor had heard Dr.Zabriskie state publicly in a saloon, that Mr.Winters had told him he had decided either to kill or to horsewhip me, but had not finally decided on which.

My neighbor, therefore, felt unwilling to go down with me until he had first called on Mr.Winters alone.

He therefore paid him a visit.

From that interview he assured me that he gathered the impression that he did not believe I would have any difficulty with Mr.Winters, and that he (Winters) would call on me at four o'clock in my own office.
MY OWN PRECAUTIONS.
As Sheriff Cummings was in Gold Hill that afternoon, and as I desired to converse with him about the previous assault, I invited him to my office, and he came.

Although a half hour had passed beyond four o'clock, Mr.
Winters had not called, and we both of us began preparing to go home.
Just then, Philip Lynch, Publisher of the Gold Hill News, came in and said, blandly and cheerily, as if bringing good news: "Hello, John B.Winters wants to see you." I replied, "Indeed! Why he sent me word that he would call on me here this afternoon at four o'clock!" "O, well, it don't do to be too ceremonious just now, he's in my office, and that will do as well--come on in, Winters wants to consult with you alone.