hold on. But we'll give her a chance. And because of what it may
lead to, if she works hard, because of the opportunities we can
give her, there ain't so much in it in a money way as you might
imagine."

Obermuller didn't say anything. His own lips and his own eyes
sneered now, and he winked openly at me, which made the little
man hot.

"Blast it!" he twanged. "I mean it. If you've got any notion
through my coming down to your dirty little joint that we've set
our hearts on having the girl, just get busy thinking something
else. She may be worth something to you--measured up against the
dubs you've got; but to us--"

"To you, it's not so much your not having her as my having her
that--"
"Exactly. It ain't our policy to leave any doubtful cards in
the enemy's hands. He can have the bad ones. He couldn't get the
good ones. And the doubtful ones, like this girl Olden--"

"Well, that's just where you're mistaken!" Obermuller thrust
his hands deep in his pockets and put out that square chin of his
like the fighter he is. " `This girl Olden' is anything but
doubtful. She's a big card right now if she could be well
handled. And the time isn't so far off when, if you get her, you
people will be--"

"Just how much is your interest in her worth?" the little man
sneered.