“I take it the object of this inquest is to ascertain facts.  If I am to relate facts, I must repeat that for some little time it has been known in the Valley that a quiet contest has been going on between the people and certain interests which I do not need to name.  It was well known in our office that the miners on Coal Hill had openly boasted no Washington man was going to get away with any facts about mining operations.  O’Finnigan of Shanty Town had boasted he had been brought down from the Ridge for ‘a surprise party’ as he called it.  For some little time, as news editor I had been dissatisfied with the reports of this whole struggle:  they struck me as exceedingly biased and untruthful; in fact what the reporters call ‘doped news’; ’news doped by outsiders for special reasons of their own.’”

Bat’s boot came down with a clump on the floor.  The attorney was up again, glaring at the coroner.  The news editor cleared his throat.

“So I determined to go and see this thing for myself—­”

“With the result,” roared the attorney, “that you saw every facility afforded for the most thorough examination of the mine.”

There was a shuffling of feet among the men at the back of the room.  More men seemed to be crowding in.

“That,” said the news editor aloud, sitting back beside Wayland, “That effectually cooks my dough!  See that you fellows do as well!”

Eleanor was next questioned, most considerately and courteously.  Twice she was interrupted.  The first time was when she repeated that her father had said he expected no trouble whatsoever.

“I would call your attention to the fact, Mr. Coroner, that the deceased gentleman assured his daughter he expected no trouble whatsoever,” called out the attorney.

The Sheriff leaned over and whispered to the coroner.

“Did the half-breed woman known as Calamity leave the Ranch House the night before the examination of the mine?” asked the coroner.

It was when Eleanor was describing the mad look of Calamity that the attorney again interrupted: 

“Mr. Coroner, out of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman and to the member of his family present, I ask that the stenographer strike out the record of the insane woman’s babblings!  The fact is established on the word of Miss MacDonald that the Indian woman set out with the express intention of seeking her employer.  What she intended to do when she found him, we cannot know; for the woman was plainly insane and her word is worthless.”

Bat wore a tallow smile.  The attorney’s expression became inscrutable.  Sheriff Flood’s face shone as a new moon.  The other faces were a puzzled blank.

“You want to check that,” whispered the news editor to Wayland.  Matthews was being questioned.

“Before A proceed t’ answer y’r verra civil inquiries, Mr. Coroner, A wud ask the privilege o’ puttin’ three questions!”