these actions just exactly as a mill grinds out corn. It's the simplest
thing in the world."

"Well, I'll think it over," answered Rimrock noncommittally, "unless
you've got one of those attachments on you?"

"Oh, no!" laughed Buckbee, "I'm no summons-server. It isn't quite so
simple as that. You see the bank begins the action, the court issues a
summons, and if you don't appear the judgment is declared by default.
But it won't come to that, I'm sure. Just think it over and I'll call
you up later. So long; don't take it too hard."

He flashed back a smile, but as the door closed behind him Rimrock
answered by showing his teeth. He went to a safe that stood in the room
and took out a single envelope. Then he strapped on his shabby old
six-shooter, stepped quietly out and was gone.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE NEW YEAR

A crafty-eyed lawyer on an East-side street told Rimrock all he needed
to know--a summons in equity could not be served outside the bounds of
the state. And so, a year after his triumphal arrival, Rimrock Jones
left gay New York. He slipped out of town with a mysterious swiftness
that baffled certain officers of the court, but, though Jepson watched
the trains in something approaching a panic, he did not drop off at
Gunsight. Mary Fortune watched the trains, too, though with different
motives and hopes, and when the last day dawned and no Rimrock appeared
she went off by herself on the desert.

When that sun rose again, unless something was done, the Tecolote mine
would be lost. And all because Rimrock did not come. His share in the
mine as well as her own was dependent upon what she should do and she
motored out across the desert to think. Jepson's plans were
complete--L. W. was still drunk and Ike Bray was waiting for the word.
At midnight that night, as the old year went out and the new year was
ushered in, Ike Bray and his guards would climb up to the dome and
re-locate the Old Juan claim. And then they would leave it--for that
was their plan--and let Rimrock contend with the law. Once located and
recorded they had ninety days in which to sink their discovery shaft,
and the last day was as good as the first.

Mary had overheard Jepson in his numerous consultations until she knew
every move he would make; the question was, what would she do? Would
she sit idly by and let this mountain of copper be snatched from their
hands by Stoddard; or would she, alone and with no one to help h