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Updated: May 7, 2025
Rathburn was looking at the far-flung view below. He turned a hard gaze on Sautee. "What difference do you suppose it would make to me if that stuff in there goes off?" he demanded in a harsh voice. "Look down there!" Sautee looked and drew in his breath with a gasp. In the clear light of the blossoming dawn the whole panorama of the lower mountain country was spread out before them.
Mannix picked up the second piece of paper and again read the words penciled upon it: I am taking out of this money belonging to the Dixie Queen the five hundred dollars Sautee promised me for carrying the money to the mine, and the two thousand dollars reward offered for the capture of those who had been robbing the Dixie Queen.
"Step up here, Mannix, an' listen to what this fellow has to say," was Rathburn's reply. "Men," he called in a loud voice, "I'm lookin' to you to give your mine boss an' your deputy sheriff a fair deal." There was a murmur among the men. Mannix, after a moment of hesitation, stepped forward. Rathburn swung on Sautee.
"You rather startled me," he accused with a forced smile. Rathburn closed the door softly and turned the key in the lock. "I'm just taking natural precautions," he explained. Sautee shook his head and put a finger to his lips. "Not so loud," he warned. "These walls" he waved a hand about "are all ears." He took a package from beneath his coat and handed it to Rathburn.
Sautee noted the slim, tapered right hand of the man across the table from him, the clear, gray eyes, the unmistakable poise of a man who is absolutely and utterly confident and sure of himself. The mine manager's eyes glowed eagerly. "Yes?" asked Rathburn calmly.
But if your chief the sheriff finds out that you didn't hit the trail to-night he'll likely ask you for your badge!" "Are you threatening me?" Mannix demanded loudly. "No, I'm only stating facts," Sautee replied stoutly. "That man who calls himself Rathburn is The Coyote!" Mannix didn't start. He appeared hardly interested.
The tradition is handed down from the old days when men were paid in gold. There was a time when a miner wouldn't take paper money in this country!" The waiter entered with the breakfast dishes and they began to eat. "Your mine owned by a stock company?" Rathburn inquired. "Certainly," replied Sautee. "All the mines here are. What mine isn't?" Rathburn ignored the question.
"Hand that over," ordered Sautee, reaching for the package. Rathburn drew away. "All right, Mr. Sautee," he said in a complaining voice. "If you don't want me to go through with the job you can back down, I guess. We'll just make sure the money's here, though." Sautee leaped toward him. "Give me that package!" he cried angrily. "Do you hear me?"
"An' I got peevish at Carlisle an' plumb suspicious when he tried to make things look bad for me right there at the start. I began to wise up to the whole lay when you got me out of jail." Sautee's face went white again. "Your fine explanations of why you couldn't get that money up to the mine were thin as water, Sautee.
Carlisle's face was purple and working in spasms of rage. He realized instantly that Rathburn had spoken the truth. "It was his scheme from the start!" shrilled Sautee from the protection of Rathburn's broad shoulders. Then the mine manager, unable to longer stand the strain, collapsed on the ground, groaning. "Underhanded!" Carlisle shot through his teeth as Mannix stepped back.
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