the street.

He stepped into the office with his eyes fixed and sullen and she met
him just inside the door.

"I'll accept your apology for your conduct the other day," she said
with compelling calm, "and then I want to tell you some news."

"All right," mumbled Rimrock, "I apologize, all right. I was a
miserable, pot-licking hound. I'd give my right hand----"

"Yes, yes, that's all right," she broke in hurriedly, "but here's what
I want to say. Mr. McBain has been up to Geronimo and got him a copy
of that survey of your claims!"

"I knowed it!" burst out Rimrock swinging his fist into his hand, "I
saw him get off that train!"

"No, listen!" she said, "you mustn't talk so loud! You mustn't talk at
all! Just listen to what I say. I depend on you to save our mine."

"I'll do it!" began Rimrock; but she made a motion for silence and went
swiftly on with her tale.

"More than that," she said. "I happen to know that he's looked up the
names of those Mexicans, the original locators of your claims; and I
think--I can't be sure--but I think that one or two of them were not
citizens of the United States. Now wait! I've not finished! I'm
looking to you to go out there and protect our claims!"

"Well--the dirty--thief!" rumbled Rimrock in his throat. "I didn't
think he had the nerve. But say," he went on, suddenly struck with an
idea, "how come you're telling me all this? I thought you and
McBain----"

"We won't discuss that, if you please," she broke in, blushing
painfully. "There are some things you don't understand. But I think,
under the circumstances, I have the right to take steps to protect my
own interests. Now will you go out to the claims and keep them from
being jumped, or----"

"Leave it to me," he said, the fighting light in his eyes. "Where's
McBain? He's the man I've got to stop."

"No, now let's not have any violence. I know something of the law.
All you need to do is to stay on the ground. If you're in
possession----"

"That's got nothing to do with it!" he burst out impatiently. "This
has gone beyond the law. I've warned this man McBain before all kinds
of witnesses not to set his foot on my ground; and if he does it--I'll
make him pay for it."

He started for the door, hitching up his belt, and she caught at his
pistol as he passed.

"No," she said, "I don't want you to shoot him. I'd rather we'd lose
the mine."

"You don't understand," he answered. "This has got no