It's
your job." He took a step nearer Langham while his black brows met in a
sullen frown. "I know I ain't popular here in Mount Hope, I know there
are plenty of people who'd like to see me run out of town; but I'm no
quitter, they'll find. It suits me to stay here, and they can't touch me
if Moxlow won't have it. That's your job, that's what I hire you for,
Marsh; you're Moxlow's partner, you're your father's son, it's up to
you to see I ain't interfered with. Don't tell me you can't do anything
more for me. I won't have it!"

Langham's face was red, and his eyes blazed angrily, but Gilmore met his
glance with a look of stern insistence that could not be misunderstood.

"I have done what I could for you," the lawyer said at last, choking
down his rage.

"Oh, go to hell! You know you haven't hurt yourself," said Gilmore
insolently.

"Well, then, why do you come here?" demanded Langham.

"Same old business, Marsh." He lounged across the room and dropped,
yawning, into a chair near the window.

There was silence between them for a little space. Langham fussed with
the papers on his desk, while Gilmore squinted at him over the end of
his cigar.

"Same old business, Marsh!" Gilmore repeated lazily. "What's the enemy
up to, anyhow? Are the good people of Mount Hope worrying Moxlow? Is
their sleepless activity going to interfere with my sleepless
profession, eh? Can you answer me that?"

"Moxlow has cut the office of late," said Langham briefly.

"He's happened on a good thing in the prosecuting attorney's office, I
suppose? It's a pity you didn't strike out for that, Marsh; you'd have
been of some use to your friends if you'd got the job."

"Not necessarily," said Langham.

"Well, when's Moxlow going after me?" inquired Gilmore.

"I, haven't heard him say. He told me he had sufficient evidence for
your indictment."

"Yes, of course," agreed Gilmore placidly.

"I guess yours is a case for the next grand jury!"

"So Moxlow's in earnest about wishing to make trouble for me?" said
Gilmore, still placidly.

"Oh, he's in earnest, all right." Langham shrugged his shoulders
petulantly. "He'll go after you, and perhaps by the time he's done with
you you'll wish you'd taken my advice and made yourself scarce!"

"I'm no quitter!" rejoined Gilmore, chewing thoughtfully at the end of
his cigar.

"By all means stay in Mount Hope if you think it's worth your while,"
said Langham indifferently.

"Can you give me so