CHAPTER XXII.
In Helena--A Fruitless Quest--Jerry Taylor's Bagnio--Reliable Tidings--A Midnight Ride--Arrival at Butte City.
After obtaining much valuable information with reference to the various localities of the city, from the landlord of the hotel, Manning sallied forth upon his quest.

With untiring energy he prosecuted his inquiries, only to meet with repeated disappointments and rebuffs; all day long he labored assiduously, visiting a hundred brothels, saloons and hotels, and yet without discovering a trace of Duncan or his white-faced quadruped.

Could it be possible that the honest-faced miner had played him false, and designedly thrown him off the scent?
Might not the saloon-keeper at Bozeman have given him the proper direction of Duncan's flight toward the Yellowstone park?
and was he not now miles away from all pursuit, and perhaps by this time fully aware that he was being followed?
These thoughts flew through the brain of the detective as after all his efforts he found himself baffled at all points.

At length, in despair, he sought the aid of the authorities, and was received with a cordiality that was unmistakable, and with a proffer of assistance that promised to be valuable in the extreme.

An officer, well tried and trusted, a man of considerable experience, and who was the very ideal of a discreet and intelligent official, was delegated to accompany him during the evening.