aggrieved shareholders, was at the scene of action. He could take
counsel with no man on the ground. Win or lose he must decide and act
for himself. Here he sat in the cab of the Mogul, impatient only five
minutes back to push ahead for the mines, to get away without
recognition. Now it might well be that the point at which to act was
right here in town.

"The mine is being operated at heavy expense and loss," had been the
latest wail from the secretary. "There is not ore enough in sight to
begin to pay the wages of the men. Yet every test convinces us that
abundant results must follow further development." Another assessment,
therefore, on top of all previous levies, had been the imperative
demand. Geordie did not know it, but that pound was the last that broke
the hold of three. They had sold their stock for what it would bring,
and Breifogle and his clique were laughing in their sleeves. They knew
there was ore in abundance, both in sight and touch. Geordie and McCrea
believed it, and believed that if the one could establish the fact,
and the other could bring the directors to book with proof of foul
measures to squeeze out the small shareholders, victory would be in
their hands.

But what was to be done now? By this time the fact that young Breifogle
had been fearfully beaten must be known to every man about the station,
and was swiftly racing to the opening doors of every shop, office, and
homestead in town. By this act the miners had destroyed every hope of
sympathy, or even, possibly, of justice. Whatever their grievance it
could not warrant murder. But what _was_ their grievance? What could
have precipitated trouble at the mines and a wholesale walkout at
Silver Shield? What could have brought the miners, nearly a hundred
strong, here to Argenta, with Nolan at their head--Nolan, who had been
the company's faithful servant, the best manager of men, the most
level-headed and reliable "boss" at the Silver Shield?

Toomey's friend had hurried away, for sound of increasing excitement
came from the groups, now merging into one, about the telegraph
office. Big Ben swung himself out of the cab once more, and with arms
akimbo stood watching the distant gathering, wishing Cullin would come
with orders or else with explanation of the delay. This left Graham and
Toomey alone in the cab, and Toomey's first question was, "What can you
do now, sir?"

"Find Nolan," was the brief answer, "and get to the bottom of this."