The bandit looked keenly at Morgan Pell. "Did you?" There was no reply.
"You hear me--you will answer--at once!"
"No." Morgan Pell shot out the word, and clenched his fists. The situation
was becoming hot. This old fellow would have them all dead in a few moments
if he didn't keep his mouth shut.
A look of triumph came into Uncle Henry's eyes. "There's your big chance!"
he shouted to Lopez. "Shoot him quick!"
But Pell said calmly: "I paid twenty thousand dollars for an option on the
place."
"Yes, but you didn't give me the money!" Uncle Henry insisted.
"I was going to," the other replied, not even casting a glance over his
shoulder.
Old man Smith turned to Lopez. "Oh! You didn't shoot quick enough! I got it
now! Ask him why he wants the place! Maybe he'll tell another one!" And he
tittered with glee.
Lopez put the question to Pell.
"I--I--" the latter stammered; but could get no farther.
Uncle Henry was gleeful now. "Get ready!" he yelled to Lopez. "He's going
to do it! Keep your hand on your gun!"
"I thought," Pell brought out reluctantly, "I thought there might be--oil
on it."
Lopez was dumbfounded. This was far more interesting than even he had
calculated.
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