f they were so strong for
Samuels then, why not now? A mere court decision could not change their
minds so quickly. I should have expected the real bitterness and the
real resistence when the Marshal went up to put the old man off."

"That's the way I sized it up," admitted Bob.

"It's as if somebody had turned off the steam and the engine quit
running," said Thorne, "and for that reason I'm more than ever convinced
that it was a made agitation. Samuels was only an excuse."

"What for?" asked Bob.

"Struck me the same way," put in California John. "Reminded me of the
war. Looked like they held onto this as a sort of first defence as long
as they could, and then just abandoned it and dropped back."

"That's it," nodded Thorne. "That's my conclusion. Somebody bigger than
Samuels fears investigation; and they hoped to stop our sort of
investigation short at Samuels. Well, they haven't succeeded."

Amy arose abruptly and ran to her filing cases.

"That ought to be easily determined," she cried, looking over her
shoulder with shining eyes. "I have the papers about all ready for the
whole of our Forest. Here's a list of the private holdings, by whom
held, how acquired and when." She spread the papers out on the table.
"Now let's see who owns lots of land, and who is powerful enough to
enlist senators, and who would fear investigation."

All four bent over the list for a few moments. Then Thorne made five
dots with his pencil opposite as many names.

"All the rest are little homesteaders," said he. "One of these must be
our villain."

"Or all of them," amended California John drily.

[Footnote A: "Nester"--Western term meaning squatters, small
settlers--generally illegally such.]

XVI

The little council of war at once commenced an eager discussion of the
names thus indicated.

"There's your own concern, the Wolverine Company," suggested Thorne.
"What do you know about the way it acquired its timber?"

"Acquired in 1879," replied Amy, consulting her notes. "Partly from the
Bank, that held it on mortgage, and partly from individual owners."

"Welton is no crook," struck in Bob. "Even if he'd strained the law,
which I doubt; he wouldn't defend himself at this late date with any
method as indirect as this."

"I think you're right on the last point," agreed Thorne. "Proceed."

"Next is the Marston N. Leavitt firm."

"They bought their timber in a lump from a broker by the name of
Robinson; and Rob