Part 16 (1/2)
”He's nothing but an Injun!” squealed Bilby, in wrath.
”Being an Osage Indian, and owning properly surveyed oil lands in Oklahoma, the Government has acknowledged his citizens.h.i.+p,” was the quiet reply. ”He certainly is a good American and will doubtless answer to any court demand--if you can serve him legally.”
”You got him hid away somewhere?” demanded the deputy sheriff.
”And the girl, too!” cried Bilby. ”I want the girl more than I do the crazy old Indian.”
”You'll think he's crazy if he ever sets eyes on you again, Mr. Bilby,”
was Mr. Hammond's warning. ”He hasn't forgotten you.”
Bilby drew back--and he looked frightened, too. ”I--I don't want him right now,” he muttered.
Hammond accepted the summons of the local court, glanced at it, and put it in his pocket.
”I see I have five days' grace,” he remarked. ”All right. I will see that proper representation is made before the court.”
”But we want them Indians,” said the deputy.
”This island is private property. I have hired its use for a certain term. I will allow you on it only under proper legal motion. Have you a search warrant?” Hammond asked the deputy.
”I ain't got a warrant. I don't need a warrant for a couple of Indians.
They ain't got any standing in this community. I know Indians all right.
You give 'em over.”
”I do not even acknowledge that the two individuals you demand are under my control. At least, I know very well that no United States court can touch the young woman, Wonota, except through her guardian. That guardian is her father. I don't see him here--do you?”
”You'd better produce him,” threatened the deputy.
”You can't make me. Go back and get proper authority--if you can,”
advised Mr. Hammond. ”And don't come here again--either of you--without proper authority. Willie!”
”On the job,” said the boatman, grinning.
”Don't let these fellows upon the island again--not even on the dock. Not unless they are armed with a proper warrant.”
He turned his back on the visitors and started toward the nearest bungalow.
”You'll be sorry for this, Hammond!” shouted Horatio Bilby. ”I'll get you yet, and don't you forget it.”
”To get me, as you call it, you will have to have both right and might on your side, Bilby. And just now you do not seem to have either,” was the Parthian shot the president of the Alectrion Corporation sent over his shoulder.
Willie hustled the deputy and the fat man back into their launch.
”Go on away from here,” advised Willie. ”I know you, Tom Satchett--known you all my life. All you are fit for is to jump a few fishermen and game hunters that break the law. This job is too big for you. You're up against money and influence, both, this time.”
”I won't forget you, Willie,” growled the deputy. ”You'll want something of me some time----”
”I want something of you right now,” put in the boatman. ”A good reason for punching you. Go on into your boat before I find it.”