ican citizens. Now, according to the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo if any citizen of Mexico moves to the
United States, unless he moves back or gives notice within five years
of his intention of returning to Mexico he becomes automatically an
American citizen. Do you get the idea? Even if Juan was born in
Mexico he's never considered himself a Mexican citizen. He moved back
with his folks when he was a little baby, took the oath when he came of
age and has been voting the Democratic ticket ever since. But here's
another point--even if he is a Mexican, no private citizen can jump his
claim. The Federal Government can, but I happen to know that no
ordinary citizen can take possession of a foreigner's claim. It's been
done, of course, but that lawyer I consulted told me it wasn't
according to Hoyle. And here's another point--but what are you
laughing at? Ain't I laying the law down right?"

"Why, yes, certainly," conceded Mary, "but with all this behind you
what's the excuse for defying the law? Why don't you tell Mr. Jepson,
or Mr. Stoddard, that the Old Juan is a perfectly good claim?"

"I did!" defended Rimrock. "I told Jepson so yesterday. I used those
very same words!"

"Yes, but with another implication. You let it be understood that the
reason it was good was that you were there, with your gun!"

"Stop right there!" commanded Rimrock. "That's the last, ultimate
reason that holds in a court of law! The code is nothing, the Federal
law is nothing, even treaties are nothing! The big thing that counts
is--possession. Until that claim is recorded it's the only reason.
The man that holds the ground, owns it. And that's why I say, and I
stand pat on it yet, that my gun outweighs all the law!"

"Well, I declare," gasped Mary, "you are certainly convincing! Why
didn't you tell _me_ about it yesterday?"

"Well," began Rimrock, and then he hesitated, "I knew it would bring
up--well, another matter, and I don't want to talk about that, yet."

"Yes, I understand," said Mary very hastily, "but--why didn't you tell
Jepson this? I may do you an injustice but it seemed to me you were
seeking a quarrel. But if you had explained the case----"

"What? To Stoddard's man? Why, you must think I'm crazy. Jepson has
hired a lawyer and looked up that claim to the last infinitesimal
hickey; he knows more about the Old Juan than I do. And speaking about
quarrels, don't you know that fellow deliberately framed the