"He
is in here. What of it?"
"We hear he's trying to move that dust of ours and we won't stand
for it. Tell him to come out and not hide in there like a dog."
At these words the politician appeared beside the Southerner, and
the two conversed softly an instant, while the impatience of the
crowd grew to anger. Some one cried:
"Let's go in and drag him out," and the rumble at this was not
pleasant. Morehouse raised his hand.
"Gentlemen, Mr. McNamara says he doesn't intend to take any of the
gold away."
"Then he's taken it already."
"No, he hasn't."
The receiver's course had been quickly chosen at the interruption.
It was not wise to anger these men too much. Although he had
planned to get the money into his own possession, he now thought
it best to leave it here for the present. He could come back at
any time when they were off guard and get it. Beyond the door
against which he stood lay three hundred thousand dollars--
weighed, sacked, sealed, and ready to move out of the custody of
this Virginian whose confidence he had tried so fruitlessly to
gain.
As McNamara looked into the angry eyes of the lean-faced men
beyond the grating, he felt that the game was growing close, and
his blood tingled at the thought. He had not planned on a
resistance so strong and swift, but he would meet it.
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