mstein got a hint of sternness that he did not like. For all that,
bluff paid when one dealt with poor men.

"No," he replied, dryly. "Your partner has raised me to my limit and
I've got to stop. You can agree right now or quit."

"Oh, well," said Jim. "If you have gone as far as you are able----.
May I use your telephone?"

"Certainly," said Baumstein, and when Jim, picking up the instrument on
the desk, called the exchange, suddenly straightened himself. He knew
the number for which Jim asked.

"Winter and Dearham," said the latter. "Mr. Lamson? All right; I'll
come along and fix things. We'll record the transfer when you like."

Baumstein swung round his chair and his face got red.

"What's that you told Lamson? What does it mean?"

"It means I've sold the Bluebird claim."

"Then, you have been negotiating with the Combine all the time? Why in
thunder did you come to me?"

"For one thing, we wanted to find out how much you would bid. It would
be safe to ask another party more than you would give. We didn't know
how much we ought to get."

Baumstein clenched his fist. "You used me for a base to bluff from;
reckoning you'd fall back on me if you couldn't put it over?"

"No," said Jim. "We didn't mean to deal with you at all. You helped
us get a proper price; that was your job."

They looked at one another, with mouths set hard, and then Baumstein
broke out: "You swine!"

"Stop there," said Jim, with ominous quietness. "I'm back from using
the ax in the bush and feel very fit. To put you out of your office
would give me the keenest satisfaction and would be cheaper than
getting after you through the court."

"Shucks!" exclaimed Baumstein. "What are you giving me?"

"I reckon you know. You put Davies on our track; he broke the line,
and sent a log down on our canoes. He's smart and both plots worked
before we found him out. But we did find him out."

Baumstein hesitated, wondering how much was supposition and how much
Jim really knew.

"You'll be blamed foolish if you go to law with a tale like that."

"We don't propose to bother, because I think we're even. You helped us
sell our claim and the Combine know what you were willing to pay. We
raised them some; one could take it for granted you wouldn't reach just
value."

"You told them what I offered?" Baumstein shouted.

"We did," Jim said, smiling. "I expect they got a useful hint. In
fact, if you want to control Northern