"Your uncle and his lawyers determined on a bold move. They had me give certain testimony that would knock out the other side if they should file certain papers, and then they had me disappear, so I could not be brought into court to give the rest of my evidence and tell of the old document I had accidentally discovered. So I agreed to come to this lonely place, to live until after September third. After that date nothing Wardell can do will save the railroad for himself and the others associated with him."
"And you agreed to do this?" asked Dick, bitterly. "You consented to see a man cheated out of his fortune?"
"Not at all," said Mr. Cameron, calmly. "As it was represented to me this Mr. Wardell tried to do others out of their holdings, and he got caught at his own game. That is why I agreed to do something that, while perfectly legal, might be considered a trick. I did it to help out your Uncle Ezra."
"If I were to show you," went on our hero, "that matters had been misrepresented to you, and that you were doing Mr. Wardell a grave injustice, what would you do?"
"Misrepresented!" cried Mr. Cameron. "If you can prove to me that they've been fooling me--telling me things that aren't so--for the purpose of keeping me out of court, why, Dick Hamilton, I'll go back to San Francisco to-morrow and rip their case apart in the highest court in the land! That's what I'll do!" and he leaped to his feet at the words.
"Then," said Dick, quietly, "that is just what I am going to prove to you!"
The young millionaire started for the auto that was stalled in the sand. He intended to get from it the bundle of legal papers and prove to Mr. Cameron the statement just made about misrepresentation. But before he reached the _Last Word_ he heard the sound of some one coming toward the fire. And out of the desert darkness a voice hailed, saying:
"Hello there, Mr. Cameron! We were looking all over for you."
"I'm here," said the young man, quickly. "Enjoying myself. Won't you come up and meet my new friends?" Then to Paul, who sat near him, he said in low tones:
"My guards--as I call them! Say nothing of this, and warn young Hamilton. I will see you to-morrow."
"Wait a minute, Dick!" called Paul, as he glided off in the gloom toward the car which Dick was approaching.