New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-10-14
CHAPTER ViIl-Continued.

lie didn't wait for n reply, but
turned away with BY Heck. lie went
90 the home OF the Hecks ostensibly
10 have his fortune tOld-really, to
get his dinner. The old woman didn't
like him, but her inborn spirit of hos
pitality wouldn't permit her to refuse
him a meal. She felt that she was
almost ever with him when, after
shualing and reading the cards. she
sold him that It would he wise for
him to look out for Il big, tail. grey
eyed young man with an oak tree in
one hand and Il couple of cliffs in the
ather,
Date told Major Bradley and John
Morcland of that which Con had said
10 him at the gate. The major sug-
gosted forthwith that he 20 to meet
the man it couldn't possibly do any
harm, and there was Il chance that he
would learn something of COTS In
tcntionS.
- Dale went.
. Gon was already there. waiting. He
" HAA'h'R WI a FA'Al' WI nv "'A'
iand side of the river. whiting idly.
when he saw Dale approaching. he
smiled and nodded, rose and pocketed
his knife.
II want to make you an offer for
that coal" he said at once.
AN right" Date replied. III your
Offer is big enough, it will be consid,
cred. Bu no shyster price is going
Ia get that coal. Gof."
Gon frowned uneasily.
You don't know coal, Mr.. Dale.
YOU don't know the business of min
ing-or I've got you sized up wrong.
Thousands of men have gone busted
trying to do things they weren't used
~ doing. There's a big chance, too.
that the conl isn't what II looks to be-
90 the surface. You'd better take a
sure thing. and avoid II possibility of
loss. I'll give you five thousand, spot
cash, for that coal"
Dale shook his head. "YOu'll have
80 come heavier Than that. y'know, if
you get the Morcland coal"
And an extra thousand for your
eclf,'
Dalc laughed n low, queer laugh.
you amuSe me. Con- said he.
"Sccms to me you've missed your call
Tag in life. What u peach of a king
villain you'd make in melodramai You
wouldn't have to act, either; you'd
have TO be just your natural self. And
you make the mad. too, GOff. Because
In on the square with the More
lands and everybody else-now, get
thatr r.
THE OF the shyster coal mans
mouth came down.
ooh, bosh-don't pass me that vir-
tue stuff. Every man has his price,
high or low. You've got yours. ami
I've got mine. I'll give you five thou
sand. spot cash. If you'll persuade
John Moreland to sell to Inc for five
thousand. and nobody1l eve know
you got a ~rakedown from me. It's all
the coal is worth. that ten thousand.
Well. yesg"
Date was Of the type hat goes pale
with anger. and he was pale now. He
c,cnched his hands.
You can't insult me like that and
get away with It. Goff." he clipped.
" We're going to fight. Gof, and Tin
going to put a licking on you that
horses amt pull of. Get mel-
lie threw aside his coat and rolled
sleeves to his elbows. Henderson
Gof ran his right hand quickly to a
rear rouser pocket and brought back
- stub-nosed automatic pistol. which
I've turned threateningly toward Bill
Dale.
Go easy. friend" Gof said very
compiacentiy. There's no use in
sore. I want the coal, that's
all. IL I can't get II by fair means.
III get IL in another way. Oh, / don't
Mad telling you: q mans oath Is as
good In court as another mans. IL
you don't take me up at ten THOUSAND 2
III give you so much trouble that {
you'll be glad to sell II to me later
FOR half that amount. The Balls think |
they own a big interest In that COAL I
q lot Of them. too, and they I
keep you from working the mine.
Well, I can't waste time In dickering
with you. What do you ssyf'