'If you move a step toward that door,' she threatened, 'I am going to shoot!'
Sanchia sneered. Then she paused. And finally she laughed contemptuously.
'You little fool,' she whispered back, cautious that no syllable might enter the adjoining room. 'I don't need to go rushing in there, after all. And you know it. That stuff,' and she glanced briefly at the rock on the table, 'got into my blood for a second. I'll take my time now; and I'll get what I want.'
As they stood in silence, Helen making no answer, they heard what the men were saying.
'--just this if nothing more,' came the end of Howard's entreaty. 'Don't tell Sanchia.'
'Mind your own business, young man! And, until you are asked for advice, hold your tongue!' At the end of the command the door snapped open and Longstreet popped into the room.
Sanchia, her cool poise regained, made no step toward him but contented herself by a slow comprehensive and sympathetic smile. Howard came quickly to Helen, stooped to her and whispered:
'I can't do a thing with him. But come outside with me a second; I think I know what to do.'
She flung down the heavy gun and went with him. Ten paces from the cabin they stopped together.
'Did you glimpse the specimens before I ran out to the spring with them?' he asked sharply. She shook her head, her eyes round.
'Do you have any idea,' he hurried on, 'just where your father has been prospecting lately?'
'Yes, I went with him for a walk two or three times during the last week. He----'
'Has he shown any interest in a flat-topped hill about three miles back? Where there is a lot of red dirt? They call it Red Dirt Hill.'
'Yes!' Her tone quickened. 'That is why----'
'I saw the red dirt on his pick first; then on the rock. That is why I washed it off, hoping that she had not seen. It's more than a fair gamble, Helen, that your father's claim is on Red Hill.'
Her hand was on his arm now; she did not know, but through all other considerations to him this fact thrilled pleasurably. He put his own hand over hers.
'I don't think that she did. Nor am I half sure that it would mean anything to her. I know every foot of these hills; she doesn't. We'll go in now and see what we can do. If your father does give it away--well, then we'll play our hunch and try to beat her to it.'