"Oh, yes, we can prove everything, Del Pinzo! Here are the deeds that prove Mr. Merkel's claim to the land, and I can prove that you stole them the night of the shooting!"
"San Diabalo!" muttered Del Pinzo, turning quickly. "It is the brother of Feliece!"
"Not exactly," laughed the voice of the newcomer. He snatched off a wig of black, wiry hair and stood revealed as—Nort Shannon!
He tossed a bundle of papers to Mr. Merkel's lawyer, and then all eyes turned on Del Pinzo, who feverishly was examining a bundle of documents he tore from an oiled-silk bag.
"San Diabalo!" he cried again. "They are gone!"
"No, they are here!" mocked Nort. "I found where you had hidden the real papers, and I just took them out and substituted some of my own."
Del Pinzo glared about the court for a moment, and then made a movement.
"Catch that scoundrel!" cried the Judge. But it was too late. Del Pinzo slipped out, leaped to the back of his fleet horse and though the pursuit was soon organized, he got away.
"Where did you come from, Nort?" asked Dick, as he shook hands with his brother.
"Direct from the professor's camp. Didn't get here any too soon, either, as it happens. My horse went lame and then there was a lot of excitement when they found the Brontotherium."