"Oh," she said and drew back towards the door, "well, don't let me break up a trade." "You'd better sign as a witness," spoke up Wiley imperturbably, and she stepped over and looked at the paper. "What? All ten of those claims for five hundred apiece? Why, Charley, they may be worth millions!" "Well, put it down five million, then," suggested Wiley, grimly. "How much do you want for them, Charley?" "Five hundred dollars apiece," answered Charley promptly, "but they's got to be two hundred down." "Well?" inquired Wiley as Virginia still regarded him suspiciously, and then he beckoned her outside. "Say, what's the matter?" he asked reproachfully. "Let the old boy make his touch--he wants that two hundred for grub." "He does not!" she spat back. "I'm ashamed of you, Wiley Holman; taking advantage of a crazy man like that!" "Well, I don't know," he began in a slow, drawling tone that cut her to the quick, "he may not be as crazy as you think. I've just been offered a half interest in the Paymaster if I'll come out and take charge of it." "You _have_!" she cried, starting back and staring as he regarded her with steely eyes. "Well, are you going to take it?" "I don't know," he answered. "Thought I'd better see you first--it might be taking advantage of Blount." "Of Blount!" she echoed and then she saw his smile and realized that he was making fun of her. "Yes," went on Wiley, whose feelings had been ruffled, "he may be crazy, too. He sure was looking the part." "Now don't you laugh at me!" she burst out hotly. "This isn't as funny as you think. What's going to happen to us if you take over that mine? I declare, you've been standing in with Blount!" "I knew it," he mocked. "You catch me every time. But what about Charley here--does he get his money or not?" He turned to Death Valley, who was standing in the doorway watching their quarrel with startled eyes. "I guess you're right, Charley," he added, smiling wryly. "It must be something in the air." "Are you going to take that offer," demanded Virginia, wrathfully, "and rob me and mother of our mine?" "Oh, no," he answered, "I turned it down cold. I knew you wouldn't approve." "You knew nothing of the kind!" she came back sharply, the angry tears starting in her eyes. "And I don't believe he ever made it." "Well, ask him," suggested Wiley, and went back into the house, whereupon Death Valley closed the door. "Yes," whispered Charley, "it's in the air--there's electricity everywhere. But what about that option?" Wiley sat at the table, his eyes big with anger, his jaw set hard against the pain, and then he reached for his pen. "All right, Charley," he said, "but don't you let 'em kid you--you've got the best business head in town." CHAPTER XI A TOUCH