“But it’s our mine now,” insisted Noddy. “We have a right——”
“You do as I tell you, or I’ll go back to town, and you can fight your own battle without the aid of the courts,” interrupted Mike. Noddy gave one look at Jim and Tod, with the three motor boys standing in back of them. Then, coming from the mine, for their day’s work was over, could be seen a number of sturdy men. The force was too big for the one Noddy had, and he wisely agreed to keep back. Mike Malone came on alone, and handed Jim Nestor a paper.
“I’m sorry to do this,” he said, “but business is business, and I’m directed by the court to serve this on you.”
“What is it?” asked Jerry.
“It’s some legal document in a suit over this mine. It appears that Nixon and some others lay claim to it.”
“But we own it!” cried Jerry. “Once before Noddy Nixon disputed our title, but the courts held that we had the sole rights to it.”
“I don’t know anything about that,” replied Malone. “All I know is that there’s another suit on, and that I have to serve them papers on you. Nixon and them other two fellows got an order from the court this morning.”
“Yes, and we’re going to take the mine!” exclaimed Noddy. “You fellows had better clear out. We’re in possession.”
“You dry up!” commanded the deputy sheriff. “If I hear another word out of you, I’ll spank you—little whipper-snapper that you are!”
“We want our rights,” growled Bill Berry.