“The same kind of gold—big as rice!” said Hinkle. “So Adam Forbes found this?”
Caney’s hand crept under his coat.
“Judge for yourself. I found three claims located. Three. But no name of Adam Forbes to any notice. One claim was called the ‘Goblin Gold—’”
Charlie See rose up as if he were lifted by the hair of his head. “The other names, Pete! Not the locators. The claims—give me the names of the other two claims!”
“‘Nine Bucks’ was one—and the ‘Please Hush.’”
Charlie turned and took one step, his tensed weight resting on the balls of his feet, his left arm lashed out to point. All eyes turned to the witness bench—and two witnesses looked at one.
“Caney!” thundered Charlie See.
Leaping, Caney’s arm came from his coat. See’s hand was swifter, unseen. In flashes of fire and smoke, Caney, even as he leaped up, pitched forward on his face. His arm reached out on the floor, holding a smoking gun, and See’s foot was on the gun.
A dozen men had pulled down Toad Hales and Jody Weir. Gwinne’s gun was out.
“Stand back! The next man over the rails gets it!” Maginnis jumped beside him. The shouting crowd recoiled.