"Trot out your leader! Let him stand out there, clear, beside that torch!" One of the gleaming pine knots disengaged itself from the dark circle and moved to the centre, as Preble Key, cool and confident, stepped beside it.
"That will do," said the immutable voice.

"Now, we want Jack Riggs, Sydney Jack, French Pete, and One-eyed Charley." A vivid reminiscence of the former night scene in the hollow--of his own and his companions voices raised in the darkness--flashed across Key.

With an instinctive premonition that this invasion had something to do with the former tenant, he said calmly:-- "Who wants them ?" "The State of California," said the voice.
"The State of California must look further," returned Key in his old pleasant voice; "there are no such names among my party." "Who are you ?" "The manager of the 'Sylvan Silver Hollow Company,' and these are my workmen." There was a hurried movement, and the sound of whispering in the hitherto dark and silent circle, and then the voice rose again: "You have the papers to prove that ?" "Yes, in the cabin.

And you ?" "I've a warrant to the sheriff of Sierra." There was a pause, and the voice went on less confidently:-- "How long have you been here ?" "Three weeks.

I came here the day of the fire and took up this claim." "There was no other house here ?" "There were ruins,--you can see them still.