“The largest number of honest men that was ever got together in one bunch,” said Pete, “was just an even eleven.  Judas Iscariot was the twelfth.  That’s the record.  For that reason I’ve always stuck it out that we ought to have only ten men on a jury, instead of twelve.  It seems more modest, somehow.  But suppose we found ten honest men somewheres.  It might be done.  I know where there’s two right here in Arizona, and I’ve got my suspicions of a third—­honest about portable property, that is.  With cattle, and the like, they don’t have any hard-and-fast rule; just consider each case on its individual merits.  How the case of automobiles would strike them elder ethics is one dubious problem.  Standing still, or bein’ towed, so it might be considered as a wagon, a car would be safe enough; but proceedin’ from hither to yon under its own power—­I dunno.  I’ll make a note of it.  Well, you get the right idea for the first thing.  Honest men wanted; no questions asked.  And then what?”

“Money.”

“You’ve said it, kid!  We could quitclaim that hill for a million cash to-morrow—­”

“If we had any claim to quit,” interrupted Stanley; “and if we could drag capital out here and rub its nose in our hill.”

“That’s the word I was feelin’ for—­capital.  It’s capital we want, Stanley—­not money.  I could get a little money myself down at Tucson.  Them two honest men of mine live there.  We used to steal cattle together down on the Concho—­the sheriff and Jose Benavides and me.  I aim to feed ’em a slice of my share, anyway—­but what they could put in wouldn’t be a drop in the bucket.  We want to go after capital.  There’s where you come in.  Got any rich friends back East?”

Stan reflected.

“My cousin, Oscar Mitchell, is well-to-do, but hardly what you would call rich, in this connection,” he said.  “But he is in touch with some of the really big men.  We could hardly find a better agent to interest capital.”

“Will he take the first steps on your bare word—­without even a sample or an assayer’s report?”

“Certainly.  Why not?”

“Back you go, then.  Here’s where you come in.  I had this in mind,” declared Johnson, “when I first throwed in with you.  I knew we could find the mine and you’d be needed for bait to attract capital.  I rustled a little expense money at Tucson.  Say, I didn’t tell you about that.  Listen!”

He recited at length his joyous financial adventures in Tucson.

“But won’t your man Marsh tell Zurich about your unruly behavior?” said Stan at the finish.

“I think not.  He’s got too much to lose.  I put the fear of God in his heart for fair.  I couldn’t afford to have him put Zurich on his guard.  It won’t do to underestimate Zurich.  The man’s a crook; but he’s got brains.  He hasn’t overlooked a bet since he came here.  Zurich is Cobre—­or mighty near it.  He’s in on all the good things.  Big share in the big mines, little share