CHAPTER XXI—THE LAW AND THE LAWLESS
When Lex was gone, Dot gave the sympathetic hotel man the details of the raid on the ranch, omitting nothing except the fact of her father’s abduction and subsequent rescue; for she believed it unwise at this time when Lemuel was being accused of having friendly relations with Billy Gee, to mention the important part—heroic and praiseworthy though it was—the latter had played in the night’s events. She was positive that the raiders themselves would keep silent on the matter, if for no other reason than to cover up the lawlessness of their own act.
“But have you any proof that Quintell is at the bottom of this persecution, Dot?” asked Merriman, when she concluded.
“No. Not direct proof, but——”
“In that case, I wouldn’t make any rash move. If you have him arrested, it will simply aggravate the situation. You’d be worse off for it. Right now, Quintell is a power in Geerusalem. He is the new president of the Mining Exchange, besides. His clique is in absolute control. You couldn’t get a person to believe your charges. I’d advise you to wait—talk it over with Warburton first.”
“But, Mr. Merriman, this whole thing is a plot to ruin us,” cried the girl. “I don’t know why. We have never had dealings with the people of this camp, except to patronize the stores, and all our bills are paid. In the light of what happened last night, would you have us fold our hands and let them do what they seem bent on doing—force us to leave the country?”
Merriman patted her shoulder paternally. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that, Dot,” he said with a smile. “Things will adjust themselves, I know. Right now, the prudent course to pursue is to say nothing and see that your father remains away for a while.”
Dot gazed significantly at him a moment, then she said: “Quintell was out to see father early last evening. He wanted to buy the ranch. He offered better than thirty dollars an acre—ten thousand dollars. Would you pay that much for the Huntington ranch, Mr. Merriman, just as it stands?”
The man’s eyes opened wide with surprise. He whistled softly and replied, with a shrewd nod of his head: “So that’s it! I think I see the scheme, Dot—and it is a scheme. Something about your father’s ranch has made it valuable to Jule. And it’s mineral—nothing less. I’d say it was pretty good, because he never bothers with anything that isn’t pretty good. He’s liable to go the limit, Dot. Perhaps I shouldn’t say it, but he can be mighty dirty in his methods.”
“You might be right, but I don’t think he wants the ranch for the mineral that may be on it,” said the girl. “I am sure he has some other object. Did you ever hear talk of a resort, to be established a few miles out of camp?”