are of the profits, and take possession of the whole
Tecolote properties by right of the Old Juan decision. I advise you to
accept my first offer."

"All right," spoke up Rimrock, "I knew you'd rob me. Write out the
check and I'll be on my way."

"No, indeed!" cried Mary, "don't you let him fleece you! I've got
something to say here, myself!"

"Well, say it to him, then," returned Rimrock, wearily, "I'm sick and
disgusted with the whole business."

"Yes, naturally," observed Stoddard, reaching into his pocket and
deliberately pulling out his checkbook. "Most people are, by the time
I get through with them; and your case is no exception. You made the
mistake of trying to oppose me."

"I made the mistake," returned Rimrock hoarsely, "of trusting a lot of
crooks. But I never trusted you--don't you think it for a
minute--you've got n. g. written all over you."

"Another remark like that," said Stoddard freezingly, "and I'll put my
checkbook away."

"You do it," warned Rimrock without changing his position, "and I'll
blow the top of your head off."

Stoddard looked at him keenly, then uncapped his pen and proceeded to
fill out the stub. For a moment there was silence, broken by the soft
scratching of the pen, and then Mary Fortune stood up.

"I know it is customary," she said in suppressed tones, "for men to
settle everything themselves; but you, Mr. Stoddard, and you, Mr.
Jones, are going to listen to me. I have put up long enough with your
high-handed methods; but now, will you kindly look at that?"

She laid a paper on the table before Stoddard and stood back to watch
the effect, but Rimrock only grunted contemptuously.

"Aw, fill out my check!" he said impatiently, but Stoddard was staring
at the paper.

"Why, what is this? Where did you get this, Miss Fortune? I don't
think I quite understand."

"No, naturally! You overlooked the fact that a woman can jump claims,
too. That is a recorded copy of my re-location of the Old Juan claim,
at twelve-fifty-one, on January first. Your drunken Ike Bray came
along at one-thirty and tacked his notice over mine. And now I must
thank you, gentlemen, both of you, for your kind efforts in my behalf.
By spending your money on this expensive lawsuit you have proved my
title to the Tecolote Mine."

She sat down, smiling, and as Stoddard looked again at the paper his
drawn face went suddenly white. He laid it down and with startled eyes
glanced fearfully a