“No, I wouldn’t say that, Mother Liggs,” he replied. “Honestly, I believe you have keen foresight. I’d rather take your opinion than that of many mining engineers I know. But it really seems an exaggeration to say that——”
“I’m agreeing with you, Mother Liggs,” broke in Dot enthusiastically, and added in serious tones: “Geerusalem, Mr. Sangerly, is only in its infancy, as you know, and yet, look at its mines! They’re enormously rich, and new prospects are being uncovered right along. The only thing that’s keeping it back is the unscrupulous type of men that have control—rule it. Have you heard of the terrible power they wield—the awful acts they commit?”
Lex nodded, his mind going back to his encounter with Boss Quintell that evening before Mrs. Liggs’ dry-goods store, the scene in the street when Quintell’s henchmen rallied, surrounded him, glowering and menacing, at the sound of their master’s voice.
“I haven’t the slightest doubt but that Geerusalem has a flattering future,” he admitted presently. “As a matter of truth, it is so certain of being a permanent camp that the M. & S. is about to begin surveying for a spur track into it, from the Mirage station. That goes to prove the company’s confidence in it. And I may say, Miss Huntington, that your father’s ranch, from what I’m able to learn, is quite likely to be on the right of way.”
A glad cry broke from Dot. “Oh, won’t that be wonderful! Just imagine, Mother Liggs, sitting on the front porch, watching the trains go by!”
“In my opinion, it will increase the value of the property to an appreciable degree,” said Lex. “I’ve been wondering why your father hasn’t gone in for cattle raising——”
He ceased speaking. An audible little gasp had escaped Mrs. Liggs. He looked at her and saw that her pale-blue eyes were fixed on him, wide with excitement and dismay.
“Good heavens!” she burst out. “It just come to me who told me about that branch line, Lex. There’s a scheme on to stop it. They’re going to keep it out of Geerusalem if they got to kill and murder to do it.”
A short silence fell. Lex regarded her curiously a moment before he spoke.
“I think you must be mistaken, Mother Liggs,” he said finally. “I don’t think any one would oppose a spur into Geerusalem. It would help make the camp. Who do you mean by they?”