I
wonder----"

"What?" asked the other after a pause. "Did you know about the well,
too?"

Kearn Thode laughed.

"I'd heard of it," he acknowledged. "I wish him joy of his discovery!
Is he making headway while the going is good?"

"Rather! I say, it isn't bunk, is it? I mean, this Almas Perderse is
the real thing, a good financial proposition?"

"If it is really the Almas Perderse and he holds a clear title, it's
the greatest prize in the oil fields to-day." Thode's face sobered.
"Why do you ask?"

"Because the governor and Ripley Halstead are going into it heavily,"
explained Winnie. "I don't know how much stock Halstead's subscribed
for, but the governor is going to take about fifty thousand shares at
par, ten dollars. He's bugs about it; thinks he's going to make his
everlasting fortune."

"Win, tell him to drop it!" Thode said earnestly. "I can't explain now
for there's more at stake than the Lost Souls, but I know what I'm
talking about. He might as profitably sink his money in a bottomless
pit as in that oil well!"

"Look here, I don't understand!" Winnie's voice shook. "You said just
now it was the greatest prize in the oil fields to-day. What's wrong
with it?"

"I told you I couldn't explain," Thode responded doggedly. "You've
simply got to take my word for it, that's all. I'm not sure enough of
my ground to make a definite statement yet or I would warn your father
myself, but I'm so far convinced of coming trouble that I wouldn't see
a friend of mine put a dollar in it if I could persuade him not to. I
don't mind admitting that my own trip to Mexico last fall was made in
the hope of locating that well myself, but it isn't sour grapes now
with me. I give you my word of honor, Win, that whatever your father
invests in the Almas Perderse well under the present conditions will be
irretrievably lost."

"I wish to the Lord you would go to the governor yourself!" exploded
Winnie. "He wouldn't listen to me in a million years, and even you
would have to show him! He has looked thoroughly into the proposition
according to his judgment and he has the utmost faith in it or he
wouldn't plan to back it at all. Are you sure, Kearn?"

"Which means that you are not; I haven't succeeded in convincing you."
Thode shrugged. "What chance would I have of convincing your father?
I'm warning you, Win, I can't do any more. It's up to you now;
remember that I am as earnest in this as I have ever been