“We’ll prove he did, Mr. McClintock,” purred Dodson. “He seems to have done all that was required.”
“How can you claim that? He hardly stuck a pick in any of the claims that are being worked by us or our friends.”
“I think we’ll be able to furnish evidence to show that he did,” Dodson answered smoothly.
“I don’t doubt that,” retorted McClintock. “You could get witnesses to swear that you are Napoleon Bonaparte. But it’s too raw. You can’t put it over.”
Dodson smiled a thin-lipped smile. “No need to discuss that now. Fortunately Nevada has courts above reproach.”
“It’s plain robbery,” Victoria said indignantly.
“Attempted robbery,” amended Hugh. “It won’t succeed.”
“I’m not here to bandy names. What I came to say is that my brother and I want to do justice, Miss Lowell. You’ve been spending money on the claim you thought was yours. We intend to relinquish it to you.”
“I won’t take it,” the girl answered hotly, her cheeks stained with high colour. “I’ll stand or fall with my friends. You can’t buy me off.”
“If you look at it that way, of course there’s nothing more to be said,” replied Dodson with dignity. “I’m sorry. I’ll say good-evening, Miss Lowell.”