The man who called himself Brant flushed dully under Mr. Havens’ tone of raillery; but he managed to control his temper.
“You’d better think it over, Mr. Havens. I can give you a good trade.”
“Don’t want to trade.”
“You’re not the only man I can deal with!” exclaimed Steve Brant, looking at the mine owner slyly.
“No?”
“I can get control without buying you out.”
“That so?” returned Mr. Havens with apparent curiosity.
“Yes. You’re not the only one who owns a bit of the Crayton claim. There may not be ten cents’ worth of pay ore left in it, but I have a fancy to open it up.”
“Everybody ought to be free to follow his fancy,” said Mr. Havens cheerfully.
“But you’d better take your chance while you have it offered to you. I’ve only got to go to Grub Stake and buy,” went on the visitor.