possessor immunity to enjoy the use of the property until the case is
decided, and even should the original title hold good against his, the
successful litigant would probably be willing to pay for improvements
and possession to save the expensive and tedious process of ejectment."

"But this does not affect YOU, who have already possession?" said
Clarence quickly.

"No, not as far as THIS HOUSE and the lands I actually OCCUPY AND
CULTIVATE are concerned; and they know that I am safe to fight to the
last, and carry the case to the Supreme Court in that case, until
the swindle is exposed, or they drop it; but I may have to pay them
something to keep the squatters off my UNOCCUPIED land."

"But you surely wouldn't recognize those rascals in any way?" said the
astonished Clarence.

"As against other rascals? Why not?" returned Peyton grimly. "I only pay
for the possession which their sham title gives me to my own land. If by
accident that title obtains, I am still on the safe side." After a pause
he said, more gravely, "What you overheard, Clarence, shows me that the
plan is more forward than I had imagined, and that I may have to fight
traitors here."

"I hope, sir," said Clarence, with a quick glow in his earnest
face, "that you'll let me help you. You thought I did once, you
remember,--with the Indians."

There was so much of the old Clarence in his boyish appeal and eager,
questioning face that Peyton, who had been talking to him as a younger
but equal man of affairs, was startled into a smile, "You did, Clarence,
though the Indians butchered your friends, after all. I don't know,
though, but that your experiences with those Spaniards--you must have
known a lot of them when you were with Don Juan Robinson and at the
college--might be of service in getting at evidence, or smashing their
witnesses if it comes to a fight. But just now, MONEY is everything.
They must be bought OFF THE LAND if I have to mortgage it for the
purpose. That strikes you as a rather heroic remedy, Clarence, eh?"
he continued, in his old, half-bantering attitude towards Clarence's
inexperienced youth, "don't it?"

But Clarence was not thinking of that. Another more audacious but
equally youthful and enthusiastic idea had taken possession of his mind,
and he lay awake half that night revolving it. It was true that it was
somewhat impractically mixed with his visions of Mrs. Peyton and Susy,
and even included his previous scheme of relief f