t know, of course, who the big man in blue was.

The latter was inclined to be pompous and commanding, even when Mr.
Hammond came down to the head of the dock to see him. It was evident that
Bilby's money felt warm in the deputy sheriff's pocket, and he was
determined to give the little fat man full weight for his cash.

"This here business is something that can be settled without any row, Mr.
Hammond--if that's your name," said the officer, puffingly.

"It is my name, all right," returned the president of the Alectrion
Corporation. "And I don't expect any row. What do you want--and that
fellow behind you?"

Horatio Bilby grinned rather sheepishly. "Well, you know, Mr. Hammond,
all's fair in love and war."

"This is certainly not love," said the moving picture man. "Now, what do
you both want?"

"You are ordered to bring two people into court," said the deputy
sheriff, "and show cause why they shouldn't be handed over to Mr. Bilby
pending certain proceedings to break their contract with you."

"Blunt enough," admitted Mr. Hammond, but without excitement. "Let's see:
You have a paper of some kind, I suppose, to serve on me?"

"I've a summons for you," said the officer, drawing forth some papers,
"and I propose to take the two Indians back to the Bay with me."

"You can serve me, and I will arrange for my representative to appear for
me in your court," said Hammond. "But Totantora, to whom I suppose you
refer, is a citizen of the United States, and you will have to find him
to serve him."

"He's nothing but an Injun!" squealed Bilby, in wrath.

"Being an Osage Indian, and owning properly surveyed oil lands in
Oklahoma, the Government has acknowledged his citizenship," was the quiet
reply. "He certainly is a good American and will doubtless answer to any
court demand--if you can serve him legally."

"You got him hid away somewhere?" demanded the deputy sheriff.

"And the girl, too!" cried Bilby. "I want the girl more than I do the
crazy old Indian."

"You'll think he's crazy if he ever sets eyes on you again, Mr. Bilby,"
was Mr. Hammond's warning. "He hasn't forgotten you."

Bilby drew back--and he looked frightened, too. "I--I don't want him
right now," he muttered.

Hammond accepted the summons of the local court, glanced at it, and put
it in his pocket.

"I see I have five days' grace," he remarked. "All right. I will see that
proper representation is made before the court."

"But we want them Indi