"Well, I know a face card when I see it face up. I'm as good as that."
"He says he owns this ranch," interjected Humpy who was the self-appointed prosecuting attorney. The offices Humpy got were self-appointed.
"The worst of it is," answered McShay, "I'm afraid he does."
"You got to show us," said the judge in a tone that indicated the difficulty of such a proceeding.
"Well," replied McShay; "we bought it of Andy and Shorty, and we know they were crooks, 'cause they were crooked with us. Bill here says the signature to the deed is a forgery; and Bill knows the Earl's hand-writin'. That's all."
"Well," smiled Humpy, "that don't go very strong with me. Bill may be mistaken or he may be lyin'."
"Peradventure he ain't," retorted Mike. "Bill couldn't lie. He ain't gifted. Bill's the shortest distance between two points. I've knowed him fer an awful long time, and I wouldn't trust him to lie."
"Is that all?" asked the judge, obviously refusing to be impressed.
"That's all."
"'Tain't conclusive," said Humpy, trying to get the impressive lingo of opposing counsel.