do what I have been urged to do this long time by the personage who takes so kindly an interest in his fortunes—­I’ll railroad him off to jail, at least till we get that mine or until it is, beyond question, lost to us.  It isn’t wise to let him go East; he might get hold of unlimited money.  If he did, forewarned as he is now, Johnson would fix it so we shouldn’t have a look-in.  You turn this over and let me know your ideas.”

“And that reminds me,” said Dewing with smooth insolence, equally maddening to both hearers, “that Eric’s ideas have been notably justified of late; whereas your ideas—­and mine—­have been stupid blunders from first to last.  You see me at a stand, friend Mayer, doubtful if it were not the part of wisdom to transfer my obedience to Eric hereafter.”

“For every word of that, Johnson would pay you a gold piece, and have a rare bargain of it.”  Zurich’s voice was hard; his eye was hard.  “Is this a time for quarreling among ourselves?  There may be millions at stake, for all we know, and you would set us at loggerheads in a fit of spleen, like a little peevish boy.  I’m ashamed of you!  Get your horse and ride off the sulks.  If you feel spiteful, take it out on Johnson.  Get yourself a pack outfit and go find his mine.”

“I’m no prospector,” said the gambler disdainfully.

“No.  I will tell you what you are.”  Tall Eric rose and towered above Dewing at the window; the sun streamed on his bright hair, “You are a crack-brained fool to tempt my hands to your throat!  You will do it once too often yet.  You a prospector?  You never saw the day you had the makin’s of a prospector in you.”

“Let other men do the work and take the risk while I take the gain, and it’s little I care for your opinion,” rejoined Dewing.  “And you would do well to keep your hands from my throat when my hand is in my coat pocket—­as is the case at this present instant.”

“This thing has gone far enough,” said Zurich.  “Anderson, come back and sit down.  Dewing, go and fork that horse of yours and ride the black devil out of your heart.”

“I have a thing to say, first,” said Eric.  “Dewing, you sought to begowk me by setting me up against Zurich—­or perhaps you really thought to use me against him.  Well, you won’t!  When we want the information about the man that has been harryin’ young Mitchell, Zurich will tell us.  We know too much about Zurich for him to deny us our askings.  But, for your mock at me, I want you both to know two things:  The first is, I desire no headship for myself; the second is this—­I take Zurich’s orders because I think he has the best head, as a usual thing; and I follow those orders exactly so far as I please, and no step more.  I am mean and worthless because I choose to be and not at all because Mayer Zurich led me astray.  Got that, now?”

“If you’re quite through,” said Dewing, “I’ll take that ride.”

The door closed behind him.