im. The affair
was known only to Osterman, Broderson, and Annixter; they would not
judge him, being themselves involved. He could still preserve a bold
front; could still hold his head high. As time went on the affair would
lose its point.

But this was not so. Some subtle element of his character had forsaken
him. He felt it. He knew it. Some certain stiffness that had given him
all his rigidity, that had lent force to his authority, weight to his
dominance, temper to his fine, inflexible hardness, was diminishing
day by day. In the decisions which he, as President of the League, was
called upon to make so often, he now hesitated. He could no longer
be arrogant, masterful, acting upon his own judgment, independent of
opinion. He began to consult his lieutenants, asking their advice,
distrusting his own opinions. He made mistakes, blunders, and when those
were brought to his notice, took refuge in bluster. He knew it to be
bluster--knew that sooner or later his subordinates would recognise it
as such. How long could he maintain his position? So only he could keep
his grip upon the lever of control till the battle was over, all would
be well. If not, he would fall, and, once fallen, he knew that now,
briber that he was, he would never rise again.

He was on his way at this moment to the city to consult with Lyman as
to a certain issue of the contest between the Railroad and the ranchers,
which, of late, had been brought to his notice.

When appeal had been taken to the Supreme Court by the League's
Executive Committee, certain test cases had been chosen, which should
represent all the lands in question. Neither Magnus nor Annixter had
so appealed, believing, of course, that their cases were covered by the
test cases on trial at Washington. Magnus had here blundered again, and
the League's agents in San Francisco had written to warn him that the
Railroad might be able to take advantage of a technicality, and by
pretending that neither Quien Sabe nor Los Muertos were included in the
appeal, attempt to put its dummy buyers in possession of the two ranches
before the Supreme Court handed down its decision. The ninety days
allowed for taking this appeal were nearly at an end and after then the
Railroad could act. Osterman and Magnus at once decided to go up to the
city, there joining Annixter (who had been absent from Quien Sabe for
the last ten days), and talk the matter over with Lyman. Lyman, because
of his position as