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"You're goin' to Judge Graney's place, an' you're goin' to sign a paper showin' you paid me the money for my cattle. You ain't goin' to make any noise on the way, or to Judge Graney. You're goin' to do the talkin' an' tell Graney that you want him to witness the deal. An' you're goin' to do it without him gettin' wise that I'm forcin' you.

An hour later, when Hollis sat at his desk in the Kicker office, Judge Graney's words were recalled to him. He was thinking of his conversation with the Judge when Jiggs Lenehan burst into the office, breathless, his face pale and his eyes swimming with news. He was trembling With excitement. "Ten Spot is comin' down here to put you out of business!" he blurted out when he could get his breath.

In the first flashing glance which Hollis had taken at him he had been aware that here was a person of more than ordinary mental ability and refinement. It was with a pang of pity that he remembered Judge Graney's words to the effect that he was a good workman "when sober." Hollis felt genuinely sorry for him. "I have had a talk with Judge Graney," volunteered Potter.

He knew well that Judge Graney's mission to Washington would result in failure unless the deed to his property could be recovered, or the original record disclosed. Even then, with a weak and dishonest judge on the bench the issue might be muddled by a mass of legal technicalities. The court order permitting Braman to operate a mine on his property goaded him to fury.

Judge Graney's eyes gleamed with earnestness. He leaned forward, speaking slowly and distinctly. "I am going to illustrate my point by giving you a brief history of your father's experiences out here as I had it from him. He came out here about fifteen years ago and took up a quarter-section of land over on Rabbit-Ear Creek, the present site of the Circle Bar ranch.

Then he went down to the court house. He found the door of Judge Graney's court room slightly ajar and without knocking he pushed it open and entered. On the threshold he halted and drew a deep breath. Judge Graney was seated at the big table, and directly opposite him, leaning heavily on his elbows, his face inflamed with anger, sat Dunlavey.

Judge Graney's eyes glowed. He sat erect and looked hard at the sheriff. "Who is Sanderson?" he asked. "That's the fellow who bossed the trail herd." The judge smiled oddly. "There were three thousand head of cattle?" Warde straightened. "How in hell do you know?" he demanded. "Banker Maison paid for them," he said gently.

Sagging from his slim waist was a well filled cartridge belt and at the right hip a heavy revolver. "Howdy, judge!" he said with a smile, in response to Judge Graney's cordial greeting. "Just come in?" questioned the judge. "Been in town an hour," returned Norton. He flashed a searching glance at Hollis, which that young man met steadily.

Judge Graney's gaze rested on the muscular frame of the young man. "I suppose if all men were built like you there would be less shooting done. But unfortunately nature has seen fit to use different molds in making her men. Not every man has the strength or science to use his fists, nor the courage. But there is one thing that you will do well to remember.

Half an hour later after having arranged with Judge Graney for the registering of his brand and the listing of his cattle, Hollis left the court house and went to his office. In running through his mail he came upon Judge Graney's notification and also another letter, postmarked "Chicago," which drew a pleased smile to his face.