B. M. Bower

“ Otherwise he made no move.
“It isn’t too late to do a little business, I hope,” Reid began, coming close to the desk. “Especially as this is important.”
The judge measured him with a leisurely glance and shifted the cigar a bit more to one side. “What d’you want?” he drawled. “Go to the clerk if it’s a license.”
Reid smiled unpleasantly. “It isn’t anything so nice as that—nor so easy,” he returned. “I’ve come to notify you that the administrator of the Arrow-Point estate is a thief. I want you to can him and appoint me in his place.” ”

“ Election’s coming pretty soon, and I hear you are up for another spell of this snap you’re holding down. There’s another thing—you'll have to see that all of the Dipper stock is transferred back to the Arrow-Point estate; and you can throw in the ranch for damages. But that will keep. What I want right at present is administration letters. Get busy, old-timer.” The voice of Reid was smooth and soft; he might have been saying something nice to a woman, from the tone of him.
But Judge McGraw proceeded to “get busy” without further delay. ”

“ I don’t know as you deserve any advice or any help from me, after the way you have always acted, but you are John’s child, so I will extend a few words of advice and hope they will be headed. In the first place that man you have got there, that Reed Holleman, is a low-down scownderel and you would do well if you turned him off at once. ”

“ Reid reached into his pocket and drew out some papers; not the ones he had wanted, but they looked important, and they answered the purpose.
“In Howard Burkell’s quarterly report,” he said calmly, “he gives the beef shipments at thirty-one cars. I have the Chicago record of four full trains of Arrow-Point beef. I have the dates, and the prices he sold them at. The appraisers reported something over three thousand cattle belonging to the estate. I have here proof of nearly seven thousand. ”

“ Reid observed the glance and his lips tightened. “Old-timer,” he said coolly, “this thing is going to be considered right here and now. I know the law. You can suspend Howard Burkell without notice, pending investigation of these charges. They'll sure stand investigating! And you can appoint me special administrator and guardian of the heirs without notice, and with full power to act in that capacity. Get busy!”
The muzzle of Reid’s six-shooter covered him from across the desk.
The judge moved his feet on the desk, and pointed with his cigar. “Do you see that button? ”