ny.

CHAPTER NINE

GIVING THE COLT HIS HEAD

"You and Mary V are engaged to be married," Sudden began abruptly. "Have
you any particular time set for it, or any plans made?"

Johnny faced him steadily and explained just what his plans were. That
Mary V had undoubtedly forestalled him in the telling made no difference
to Johnny. Since Sudden had asked him, he should have it straight from
headquarters. We all know what Johnny told him; we have heard him state
his views on the subject.

"H-mm. And how long do you expect it will take to pay me for the horses?"

Johnny hesitated before he plunged--but when he did he went deep enough
in all conscience. "With any kind of luck I expect to be square with you
in a year at the latest."

"A year. H-mm! Will you sign a note for that three thousand, with
interest at seven per cent., and give your flying machine as security?"

"I will, provided I can pay it any time within the year," Johnny
answered, trying to read the poker face and failing as many a man had
failed.

Sudden nodded, pulled a book of note blanks from a drawer and calmly drew
up a note for three thousand dollars, payable "on or before" one year
from date, with interest at seven per cent. per annum, with a bill of
sale of Johnny's airplane attached and taking effect automatically upon
default of payment of the note.

Johnny read the document slowly, pursing his lips. It was what he had
proclaimed to Mary V that he wished to do, but seeing it there in black
and white made the debt look bigger, the year shorter, the penalty of
failure more severe. It seemed uncompromisingly legal, binding as the
death seal placed upon all life. He looked at Mary V's father, and it
seemed that he, too, was stern and uncompromising as the agreement he had
drawn. Johnny's shoulders went back automatically. He reached across
the desk for a pen.

"There will have to be witnesses," said Sudden, and opened a door and
called for his wife and Bedelia. Until they came Johnny sat staring at
the bill of sale as though he meant to commit it to memory. "One
military type tractor biplane . . . ownership vested in me . . . without
process of law . . ." He felt a weight in his chest, as though already
the document had gone into effect.

When he had signed his name and watched Bedelia's moist hand, reddened
from dishwater, laboriously constructing her signature while she breathed
hard over the task, the plane seemed irr