"This is Siberian territory," he repeated. "I have orders to confiscate whatever gold may have been extracted, and to take possession of the plant, as it stands, in the name of my government."
"If you try it, you'll get shot," was the terse reply.
"You would fire on an officer of—"
Jim cut in, dryly.
"I'll fire on an American navy deserter, any time," he said, making a shrewd guess at the character of the intruder, "an' it won't worry my conscience none. What's more, I'll put a bullet through a claim-jumper, whenever I feel like it."
The self-styled Siberian felt that he was getting the worse of the argument, and his temper rose.
"Enough talk! I have received information that you are gold-mining on Eastern Siberian territory. You are hereby notified that the mine is confiscated. All those in authority will come aboard the cruiser Mir as prisoners. You will be taken to the mainland for trial. Perhaps you will have the opportunity to prove your observations as to longitude, there!" he sneered.
"Is the Eastern Siberian Republic at war with the United States?" queried the "Wizard" with dangerous quietness.
"That does not concern you! Deliver me, at once, the keys and working maps of the mine."
"No!"