"I regret that I am forced to doubt the authenticity of these
documents."

"My Heavens, man!" Wheaton cried. "They're certified copies of
orders from your superior court. They grant the appeal that you
have denied us and take the case out of your hands altogether.
Yes--and they order this man to surrender the mine and everything
connected with it. Now, sir, we want you to enforce these orders."

Stillman glanced at the silent man in the window and replied:

"You will, of course, proceed regularly and make application in
court in the proper way, but I tell you now that I won't do
anything in the matter."

Wheaton stared at him fixedly until the old man snapped out:

"You say they are certified copies. How do I know they are? The
signatures may all be false. Maybe you signed them yourself."

The lawyer grew very white at this and stammered until Glenister
drew him out of the room.

"Come, come," he said, "we'll carry this thing through in open
court. Maybe his nerve will go back on him then. McNamara has him
hypnotized, but he won't dare refuse to obey the orders of the
Circuit Court of Appeals."

"He won't, eh? Well, what do you think he's doing right now?" said
Wheaton. "I must think. This is the boldest game I ever played in.