long practice and absolute surety. Judge Stillman gasped and
backed against the desk, but McNamara idly swung his leg as he sat
sidewise on the table. His only sign of interest was a quickening
of the eyes, a fact of which Dextry made mental note.

"Yes," said the miner, disregarding the alarm of the lawyer, "you
can wear this court in your vest-pocket like a Waterbury, if you
want to, but if you don't let me alone, I'll uncoil its main-
spring. That's all."

He replaced his weapon and, turning, walked out the door.




CHAPTER IX

SLUICE ROBBERS


"We must have money," said Glenister a few days later. "When
McNamara jumped our safe he put us down and out. There's no use
fighting in this court any longer, for the Judge won't let us work
the ground ourselves, even if we give bond, and he won't grant an
appeal. He says his orders aren't appealable. We ought to send
Wheaton out to 'Frisco and have him take the case to the higher
courts. Maybe he can get a writ of supersedeas."

"I don't rec'nize the name, but if it's as bad as it sounds it's
sure horrible. Ain't there no cure for it?"