William Behr Mueller

Gamblers, Suckers and Gold William Behr Mueller

Peter Dawes travels to Bodie to find out from Thaddeus Cooper why he thinks he's in danger. With a stopover in Virginia City, Dawes continues on the Bodie stage arriving at the Mining District at twilight. Finding out that Cooper was shot dead shocks Dawes and he puts his investigative knowledge to work to try to find the killer. Cooper's mine is shut because of a labor dispute that may have been caused by the Irishman from Virginia City, Sean O'Hare. Another death that prompts the circuit judge from Bridgeport to hold a second inquest results in a surprise for the superintendent of the Hart and Freeman Number One mine. Dawes continues to ask questions in pursuit of the answer to: "Who killed Thaddeus Cooper."Dawes' long time associate Maudie Simpson researches information for Dawes that leads to startling information about the mines and Thaddeus Cooper. With more twists than a mental pretzel Dawes finally concludes his investigation.