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There was a pause

"I knows you a good while, Slayton----" began Mizzou, but was

interrupted almost immediately by a third voice, that of Arthur "The

point is this," said the latter sharply, "Davidson here is in a

position to give you possession of this group o' claims, but he ain't

in a position to appear in th' transaction How are you goin' to

purtect hi out of it?"

"Wait a er, "I want to ask a few questions

to the Holy Smoke Company now, don't they?"

"Well, that's the idea"

"Are either of you the agent of that Company?"

"Not directly, perhaps"

"Are you indirectly?"

"Seeuarantee t' give you good title"

"How do I know you can give ood title?"

"Ain't I tellin' you so?"

"Yes, but why should I believe you?"

"You shouldn't, unless you've got sense enough to see that we ain't

gettin' you 'way up here, an' we ain't living round these parts a

couple of years on a busted proposition"

The stranger evidently debated this