SKIP

It seemed to Fred as if they were about to sacrifice Sam in order to aid
in confirming the title of the land, and it required no slight amount of
Mr. Hunter's eloquence to persuade him differently.

"By pressing for trial we have a better chance of proving his innocence.
Under ordinary circumstances I would be certain of the result; but where
so much property is a stake I do not like to trust the superintendent
too implicitly."

"But what effect can his innocence or guilt have on the other
question?"

"It might prejudice our case if he went before a jury. Every point must
be guarded against, and this is the first to be settled."

"Can we raise money enough to carry the thing through?" Joe asked.

"I think so; but will tell you better to-morrow after I have had time to
see some of the subscribers with whom I have not yet spoken."

"Do you think we've got any chance of winning?"

"I wish it were possible to say yes; but under the circumstances it
seems to me that the odds are in the favor of the company represented by
Mr. Wright."

"Yet you don't advise us to accept his proposition," Fred said.

"Certainly not. Even if I was in favor of making a compromise, the
amount offered would be no temptation. I should advise you to refuse ten
thousand dollars, for it will cost the company much more than that if we
can raise sufficient to carry on the suit."

"Is there anything for us to do?" Fred asked.

"Very much. It is necessary to remain here, and send for Thorpe. I will
first attend to pressing for trial, and then have an interview with the
farmer for the purpose of frightening him into telling nothing but the
truth. I fancy we can restore his memory by threatening him with a
criminal suit."

"I'll run over for Sam," Joe said, as if a walk of five miles across the
mountain was nothing more than a pleasure trip.

"It won't do for you to come," he added, as Fred was about to speak,
"because I'm afraid Wright might use that warrant."

"Yes, it is much better you should remain here," Mr. Hunter said
quickly. "Isn't it possible to find the boy who first suggested Dobson
was the thief?"

"I'm afraid not; it looks very much as if he'd run away."

"It won't do any harm to walk around town while I'm gone," Joe
suggested. "You may come across some feller who has seen him."

"I shall expect to meet all three this afternoon," the lawyer said, as
his clients rose to go.

"Do not talk with any one regardin