“There is the Taurus. It lies against the Copper King end to end. He drove a tunnel into some of our workings last winter. That would give a passageway to send our men through, if we decide to do so. Then there is his New York. Its workings connect with those of the Jim Hill.” “Good! Send as many men through as is necessary to capture and hold both mines. Get control of the entire workings of them both, and begin taking ore out at once. Station armed guards at every point where it is necessary, and as many as are necessary. Use ten thousand men, if you need that many. But don’t fail. We’ll give Ridgway a dose of his own medicine, and teach him that for every pound of our ore he steals we’ll take ten.” “He’ll get an injunction from the courts.” “Let him get forty. I’ll show him that his robber courts will not save him. Anyhow, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Hobart, almost swept from his moorings by the fiery energy of his chief, braced himself to withstand the current. “I shall have to think about that. We can’t fight lawlessness with lawlessness except for selfpreservation.” “Think! You do nothing but think, Mr. Hobart. You are here to act,” came the scornful retort; “And what is this but self-preservation.” “I am willing to recapture our workings in the Copper King. I’ll lead the attack in person, sir. But as to a retaliatory attack—the facts will not justify a capture of his property because he has seized ours.” “Wrong, sir. This is no time for half-way measures. I have resolved to crush this freebooter; since he has purchased your venal courts, then by the only means left us—force.” Hobart rose from his seat, very pale and erect. His eyes met those of the great man unflinchingly. “You realize that this may mean murder, Mr. Harley? That a clash cannot possibly be avoided if you pursue this course?” “I realize that it is self-preservation,” came the cold retort. “There is no law here, none, at least, that gives us justice. We are back to savagery, dragged back by the madness of this ruffian. It is his choice, not mine. Let him abide by it.” “Your intention to follow this course is irrevocable?” “Absolutely.” “In that case, I must regretfully offer my resignation as manager of the Consolidated.” “It is accepted, Mr. Hobart. I can’t have men working under me that are not loyal, body and soul, to the hand that feeds them. No man can serve two masters, Mr. Hobart.”