Murray attended to the matter himself, for he was in a fever to begin work; and then Denver Russell struck back--he refused to apply for parole. Though he was pleasant and amenable, never breaking the prison rules and holding his gang to their duty, when the kindly parole clerk offered to present his case to the Board he had flatly and unconditionally refused. The smouldering fire of his resentment had blazed up and overmastered him as he sensed the hidden hand of his enemy, and he had cursed the black name of Murray. That was the beginning, and now when Murray passed, his glance was almost beseeching. The price of silver was going up, there were consolidation plans in sight, and Denver's claim apexed all the rest--Murray pocketed his pride and, after a word with the guard, drew Denver out of hearing of the gang. "Mr. Russell," he said trying to appear magnanimous, "that offer of mine holds good. I'll get you a parole to-morrow if you'll give me a quit-claim to your claim." "How can I give you a quit-claim?" inquired Denver defiantly, "a convict can't give title to anything!" "Just give me your word then," suggested Murray suavely and Denver laughed in his face. "You glass-eyed old dastard," he burst out contemptuously, "I know what you're up to, too well. You're trying to get me paroled so you can take my mine away from me and I won't dare to raise a hand. But I'll fool you, old-timer; I'll just serve my term out and then--well, I'll get back my mine." "Is that a threat?" demanded Murray but Denver only smiled and toyed with his heavy hammer. "Because if it is," went on Murray, "just for self-protection, I'll see that you don't get out." "No, it isn't a threat," answered Denver quietly. "If I wanted to kill you I'd swing this sledge and knock you on the head, right now. No, I don't intend to kill you; but a man would be a sucker to play right into your hands." "What do you mean?" asked Murray trying to argue the matter, but Denver refused to indulge him. "Never mind," he said, "you railroaded me to the Pen', but by grab you can't get me out. I'll just show you I'm as independent as a hog on ice--if I can't stand up I'll lay down." "Then you intend, just to spite me, to remain on in prison when you might be a free man to-morrow? I can't believe that--it doesn't seem reasonable." "Well, I can't stand here talking," answered Denver impatiently and went off and left him staring.