unmistakable signs of
having been tampered with." Turning to mark the effect of these tactics,
he became aware of his victim's contemplative gaze. It disconcerted him.
He resumed his pacing. Jeff followed him with a steady eye.

"In the same mail I sent Mr. Lake another letter. The envelope was
unfortunately destroyed, Mr. Lake suspecting nothing. A map had been
substituted for its contents, and they, in turn, were substituted for
the decision in the registered letter, with the evident intention of
depriving Mr. Lake of his prior right to file."

"By George! It sounds probable." Jeff laughed derisively. "So that's it!
And here we all thought Lake let it go out of giddy generosity! My
stars, but won't he get the horse-smile when the boys find out?"

Stratton controlled himself with an effort. "We have decided not to push
the case against you if you will tell what you know," he began.

Jeff lifted his brows. "_We?_ And who's _we_? You two? I should have
thought this was a post-office lay."

"We are investigating the affair," explained Hobart.

"I see! As private individuals. Yes, yes. Does Lake pay you by the day
or by the job?"

Stratton, blazing with anger, smote his palm heavily with his fist.
"Young man! Young man! Your insolence is unbearable! We are trying to
spare you--as you had no direct interest in the matter and doubtless
concealed your guilty knowledge through a mistaken and distorted sense
of honor. But you tempt us--you tempt us! You don't seem to realize the
precarious situation in which you stand."

"What I don't see," said Jeff, in puzzled tones, "is why you bother to
spare me at all. If you can prove this, why don't you cinch me and Felix
both? Why do you want me to tell you what you already know? And if you
can't prove it--who the hell cares what you suspect?"

"We will arrest you," said Stratton thickly, "just as soon as we can
make out the papers!"

"Turn your wolf loose, you four-flushers! You may make me trouble, but
you can't prove anything. Speaking of trouble--how about you, Mr.
Stratton?" As a spring leaps, released from highest tension, face and
body and voice flashed from passive indolence to sudden, startling
attack. His arm lashed swiftly out as if to deliver the swordsman's
stabbing thrust; the poised body followed up to push the stroke home.
"You think your secret safe, don't you? It's been some time ago."

Words only--yet it might have been a very sword's point past Stratton'