y me? You must think you're going to have a fine boob in the
family! And it's to show you--it's--why the hell don't you--what I can't
stand for," he blurted desperately, "is your insinuating right to my face
that I'd want to marry Mary V to get a third interest in the Rolling R.
I want to tell you right now, Mr. Selmer, you couldn't give me any third
interest nor any one millionth interest. If I thought Mary V had put you
up to that I'd absolutely--but she didn't. She knows where I stand.
I've told her straight out. Mary V's got more sense--she knows me better
than you do. She knows--"

"There's another thing I neglected to mention," Sudden drawled, blowing
smoke with maddening placidity under the tirade. "It's none of my
business how you hook up with that tramp flyer out there--but you
understand, of course, that flying machine is tied up in a hard knot by
this note. I couldn't accept any division of interest in it, you know.
You have given it as security, affirming it to be your own property. So
whatever kind of deal you make with him or any one else, the flying
machine must be kept clear. Selling it or borrowing money on
it--anything of that kind would be a penal offence. You probably
understand this--but if so, telling you can do no harm; and if you didn't
know it, it may prevent you from making a mistake."

"I guess you needn't lay awake nights over my going to the pen," Johnny
replied loftily. "I believe our business is finished for the present--so
good day to you, Mr. Selmer."

"Good day, Mr. Jewel. I wish you good luck," Sudden made formal reply,
and watched Johnny's stiff neck and arrogant shoulders with much secret
amusement. "Oh--Mary V's out on the front porch, I believe!"

Johnny turned and glared at him, and stalked off. He had meant to find
Mary V and tell her what had happened, and say good-by. But old Sudden
had spoiled all that. A donkey engine would have stalled trying to pull
Johnny around to the front porch, after that bald hint.

As it happened, Mary V was not taking any chances. She was not on the
front porch, but down at the airplane, snubbing Bland most unmercifully
and waiting for Johnny. When he appeared she was up in the front seat
working the controls and pretending that she was speeding through the air
while thousands gaped at her from below.

"I'm doing a make-believe nose dive, Skyrider," she chirped down at him,
looking over the edge through Johnny's goggles, and