His mineral claim was
flimsy; he knew it, and everybody else knew it. But until the case
should be reported back, he remained where he was. It was up to Plant;
and Plant had been lenient. Probably Austin could have told why.
Thorne became cognizant of all this. He served Austin notice. Austin
offered no comment, but sat tight. He knew by previous experience that
the necessary reports, recommendations, endorsements and official orders
would take anywhere from one to three months. By that time this
inspector would have moved on--Austin knew the game. But three days
later Thorne showed up early in the morning followed by a half-dozen
interested rangers. In the most business-like fashion and despite the
variegated objections of Austin and his disreputable satellites, Thorne
and his men attached their ropes to the flimsy structure and literally
pulled it to pieces from the saddle.
"You have no right to use force!" cried Austin, who was well versed in
the regulations.
"I've saved my office a great deal of clerical work," Thorne snapped
back at him. "Report me if you feel like it!"
The debris remained where it had fallen.
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