n and threw a red glow upon the rows of trunks.
The creek shone and faded; sometimes the smoke curled about the tent
and sometimes blew away.

"You struck copper up North," Martin resumed after a time. "Has
anybody tried to buy your claim?"

"Baumstein gave us an offer twice."

"Ah," said Martin, thoughtfully, "I suppose you wouldn't sell?"

"Not at his price. We thought we had better hold on; some day the
Combine might buy."

"A pretty good plan," Martin agreed. "There'll be a demand for
Northern copper before long. Well, I see you have a blanket. You'll
find a bed in the tent."

"I picked a spot to camp a piece back," Jim said rather awkwardly, as
he got up.

Martin laughed. "Since you reckoned Cartner and I were on your track,
you felt you'd sooner not stop with me? Well, I don't think that ought
to count. If we could have bought you off or scared you off, we might
have done so, but since you are resolved to put the contract through,
we'll be satisfied with seeing you don't get another. If you stop,
you'll get a better breakfast than you can cook."

Jim's hesitation vanished and he went into the tent.

Next morning he got breakfast with Martin, and when he was going the
latter remarked: "I guess you understand you needn't bother about our
getting after you. Go ahead and finish the job."

"Thanks," said Jim, smiling. "Unless we go broke, we mean to finish."

"Very well," said Martin, "if you have to choose between quitting and
selling your copper claim, you had better let the telegraph contract
go." He paused and gave Jim a level glance. "Looks like interested
advice, but I guess it's sound."

Jim strapped on his pack and started down the valley. He reached the
telegraph camp three or four days afterwards, and in the evening told
Jake and Carrie about his interview.

"Perhaps it's strange, but I really don't think we're up against
Cartner and Martin," he concluded.

"We're up against somebody who hasn't many scruples," said Jake.

"That is so," Jim agreed. "I suggested that Davies might be playing a
lone hand. Martin admitted that it was possible, but didn't look
satisfied. In fact, I imagined he was thinking hard. Of course, the
obvious line was to doubt his honesty, but somehow I didn't."

"The obvious line's not always best," Carrie interposed. "My notion
is, it's a foolish habit to take it for granted your antagonist is a
cheat. But what is he like, Jim?"

"Big and rather