themselves. It was evident that the deposits of the Alaska Bank
were abundantly safeguarded.

"I don't aim to have any trouble with you-all," continued the
Southerner, "but that money stays here till it's drawn out right."

The crowd paused at this show of resistance, but Glenister railed
at them:

"Come on--come on! What's the matter with you?" And from the light
in his eye it was evident that he would not be balked.

Helen felt that a crisis was come, and braced herself. These men
were in deadly earnest: the white-haired banker, his pale helpers,
and those grim, quiet ones outside. There stood brawny, sun-
browned men, with set jaws and frowning faces, and yellow-haired
Scandinavians in whose blue eyes danced the flame of battle. These
had been baffled at every turn, goaded by repeated failure, and
now stood shoulder to shoulder in their resistance to a cruel law.
Suddenly Helen heard a command from the street and the quick tramp
of men, while over the heads before her she saw the glint of rifle
barrels. A file of soldiers with fixed bayonets thrust themselves
roughly through the crowd at the entrance.

"Clear the room!" commanded the officer.

"What does this mean?" shouted Wheaton.

"It means that Judge Stillman has called upon the military to
guard this gold, that's all. Come, now, move quick." The men