"It should be, for you write well. Your magazine articles are bully."
Eliza smiled. "If the novel would only go as well as those stories I'd be happy. They put Gordon on the defensive."
"I knew they would."
"Yes. I built a nice fire under him, and now he's squirming. I think I helped you a little bit, too."
"Indeed you did—a great deal! When you came to Omar I never thought you'd turn out to be my champion. I—" He turned as Dr. Gray came hurrying toward them, panting in his haste.
The doctor began abruptly:
"I've been looking for you, Murray. The men are all quitting."
O'Neil started. "All quitting? What are you talking about?"
"There's a stampede—a gold stampede!"
Murray stared at the speaker as if doubting his own senses.