[CHAPTER XVIII]
OFF FOR LOST VALLEY
Jim Nestor leaped to his feet, and, with a characteristic motion, his hand sought the revolver he always wore, but which he seldom used, for Jim was a very peaceable man. Then, as if regretting that he had been betrayed into action by the taunt of a bully like Noddy, Jim sat down again, and, looking at the deputy sheriff, asked:
“Did you want to see me, Mike?”
“Yes, that’s what I came here for,” was the answer, “and if some people would mind their own business, and let me attend to mine we’d get along better,” continued Malone, as he gave Noddy a sharp glance.
Jerry looked as if he was going to step forward and engage in a wordy if not a fistic encounter with Noddy, but in a low voice Jim Nestor bade him keep cool.
“Leave it to Malone,” said the superintendent of the gold mine. “He and I are friends. We’ll soon see what’s in this.”
Malone turned to Noddy, Bill Berry and Tom Dalsett.
“You fellows stay back here until I tell you to come on,” he ordered.