cted to secure a report upon
him, assuring himself that there was always time for such formalities.
He was cordial to-day when Gray strode into his office bringing Gus
Briskow with him.

The banker listened with interest to what he was told, then he studied
the map that Briskow spread upon his desk showing the location of his
own and other near-by wells.

"That looks like a sure thing," Roswell said, finally. "As sure as
anything in oil can be. What is on your mind?"

"I'd like to get the opinion of the bank's oil expert," Gray told him.

This was a matter easily disposed of; the expert was summoned and he
rendered a prompt opinion. He knew the property; he considered it a
cheap lease at a thousand dollars an acre. It was proven stuff and
within thirty days it would probably treble in value. When he had gone,
the banker smiled.

"Well, Gray," said he, "I knew you'd land something good. You're a
hustler. You'll make a fortune out of that land."

Gray handed him Gus Briskow's option, and the assignment thereof, the
ink upon which was scarcely dry. "There's the joker. It expires
to-morrow night and--it will go to the Nelsons. They've double-crossed
Mr. Briskow."

"Then don't let them get away with it. Take it yourself."

"It is now three o'clock and this is the golfing season in New York,"
Gray told him. "I couldn't reach my--associates and get any action
before Monday."

"No funds of your own available?"

"Not enough, at such short notice."

"Well?"

"That lease is worth one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, isn't it?"
The banker nodded. "I'm going to sell it before six o'clock for--eighty
thousand. I know people here who will take it, but I've come first to
you. Get together a little syndicate right here in the bank, and buy
it. I'll agree to take it off your hands within thirty days at one
hundred and sixty thousand dollars. In other words, it is worth to me
eighty thousand dollars to have you carry it for a month."

"Is your guaranty any good?"

"That is for you to determine. Assume that it is not, and I'll better
my first offer. I'll undertake to sell off the land in twenties right
here in Dallas, double your money, and divide the profits thereafter
with you. It is a safe speculation and a quick one. You know I can put
it through."

Mr. Roswell considered briefly before replying. "There's no use denying
that we've made money on deals like this--everybody has. So it's
nothing new. There's a big p