tell the real story." He slapped the papers across his hand, then tore
them up in tiny bits and threw them on the floor."

"Sorry, old man," said the assayer, as before. "Hope you didn't pay
him much for the claim."

"Not much," said Van. "All I had--and some of it borrowed money."

The assayer puckered up his mouth.

"Briggs has skipped--gone East."

"I know. Well--all in a lifetime, I suppose. Pay you, Frank, when I
can."

"That's all right," his friend assured him. "Forget it if you like."

Van started off, but returned.

"Say, Frank," he said, "don't hawk this around. It's bad enough for me
to laugh at myself. I don't want the chorus joining in."

"I'm your clam," said Frank. "So long, and better luck!"




CHAPTER X

THE LAUGHING WATER CLAIM