78CHAPTER IX
A Peace Talk
While his blood was pounding and his heart was high, Wiley Holman went down into his mine. He rode down on the bucket, deftly balanced on the rim and fending off the wall with one hand, and when he came up he was smiling. Not smiling with his lips, but far back in his eyes, like a man who has found something good. Perhaps Blount surprised the look before it had fled for he beamed upon Wiley benevolently.
“Well, Wiley, my boy,” he began confidentially as he drew him off to one side, “I’m glad to see you’re pleased. The gold is there–I find that everyone thinks so–all we need now is a little co-operation. That’s all we need now–peace. We should lay aside all personal feelings and old animosities and join hands to make the Paymaster a success.”
“That’s right, that’s right,” agreed Wiley cheerfully, “there’s nobody believes in peace more than I do. But all the same,” he went on almost savagely, “you’ve got to get rid of old George. I’m for peace, you understand, but if I find him here again–well, I’ll have to take over the property. He’s nothing but a professional murderer.”
79“Yes, I know,” explained Blount, “he’s a dangerous man–but I don’t like to let an old man starve. He’s got a right to live the same as any of us, and, since he can’t work–well, I gave him a job as watchman.”
“Well, all right,” grumbled Wiley, “if you want to be charitable; but I suppose you know that, under the law, you’re responsible for the acts of your agents?”
“That’s all right, that’s all right,” burst out Blount impatiently, “I’ll never hire him again. He refused to obey my orders and─”
“Andhe tried to kill me!” broke in Wiley angrily, but Blount had thrown up both hands.
“Oh, now, Wiley,” he protested, “why can’t we be reasonable? Why can’t we get together on this?”
“We can,” returned Wiley, “but you’ve got to show me that you’re not trying to jump my claim.”