The spectator., 1921-01-28

| go to the purchaser, and was now al- most ready for the binder. Bradshaw was in constant touch with well-to-do farmers from the South who were on
 the lookout for iand, and his own banking facilities would enable him to forward the cash as soon as sale
 was assured. without waiting for actual payment by the purchaser. So Harris was confident in the midst of his anxiety.
 A gentlemah's agreement had been
 made with Gardiner and Riles that not word vas to be said concerning their investment until it was a com- pleted fact Gardiner dropped in oc casionally fo learn if any word had come from Plainvf11e. but it was not until the afternoon of the fourth day that the fateful yellow envelope was handed in at the hotel. As 1t hap pened Gardiner and Rifles were pres ent at the moment. They slipped into the back room and waited in a fever | of expectation for Harris to announce the contents.
 Harris and Allan read the message twice before speaking; then Allan re- peated 1t aloud:
 "Twenty thousand dollars proceeds sale goes forward ivy wire your bank l Correspondence follows. VIII explain failure to get price asked
 BRADSHAW" l Harris was torn tsetween emotions and his face worked with unwonted nervousness as he struggled with them. That Bradshaw should have SolG the farm for half the price he l had stipulated seemed incredible. It was robbery: t was a breach of trust of the most dVspicabie nature. On the l other hand. if the amount available would enable them to buy the mine the huce profit assured from that in 1 vestment would much more than off set the loss or, the farm. Gardiner and Rifles. too. were visibly downcast when they heard the amount, but Gar diner promptly crippled with the situation.
 "Its less than we figured on," he said. but perhaps we can get through still The thing ao do Is to get out to | the mine at once with this money. It will be sufficient to prove the genuine ness of our intentions. and induce him into town. Then Riles can put up some and I can put up some, and that. with the twenty thousand. should hold the deal until Riles can realize on his farm. Within very short time we can turn the whole thing over to the l New Workers and take in the profits"
 Say. Gardiner" said Allan. speak ing as one who had been struck by n new and important thought. "Where do you come in on this deal? Is your old gink up in the hi,s coming through i for half?"
 1 ."Not n cent" said Gardiner. AS | for where l come in. we'll dealing with old friends like Rifles and the Harrises, considered that sec l ondary matter. fancy that when they feel the profits in their pockets they will be disposed to be not only fair. but generous. and. of course. if put up part of the money will expect my share of profit. But I'm not ask ] ing for any assurance; I'm just going to leave that to you"
 | Well. that's decent, anyway" Har- l ris agreed "I haven't as much money as I expected. but if We can pull it l through it may he all right yet. Of l coarse you remember that l haven't | promised to put up a dollar unless i like the looks of the mine when l see l it." Harris still had qualms of hesi- tatiou about entering into transac- ton ss much out of his beaten path. and he took occasion from time to l time to make sure that an avenue of retreat was still open.
 That's the understanding. exactly" Gardiner assured him. You're the man with the money. and If you don't like 1t. don't pay"
 Harris at once visited the bank. and returned shortly with the information that the amount. less a somewhat startling percentage for transmission and exchange. was already deposited to his credit
 ."rhen let us lose no more time" said Gardiner with enthusiasm. "You will need team and rig. and you better pack couple of blankets and some grub. Make the stableman throw in couple of saddles; you may have to ride the last part of the trip. Riles and will make It the whole way on horseback" Gardiner then remembered that 1t would be neces- sary for him to go back to the ranch and change horses, but he described in detail the road they should take. and assured them they could not miss it It was the main road up the river valiey-up and up-and if they drove hard they wonld reach that night spot where an old. deserted cabin stood back in a clump of poplars. It would be good place to spend the I night. and Rifles and Gardiner would meet them there, if, indeed. they did not overtake them on the road Neither Harris nor Allen had any fear of a