e at a time when I had to have money or go down. I had
been to every bank, to every firm, to every man in town, and I couldn't
raise ten cents more. If you refuse this thing, you will be doing
something that----"

"Oh, hush up, Tal!" broke in Johnny gruffly; "if that's how you
feel----"

"It is."

"It is now," said Johnny firmly, "10:30 A.M., but I'm going to have
bubbles. If you fellows don't want me all drunk and dressed up, you've
got to help me drink them."

CHAPTER XLIV

PLUTOCRATS!

We felt very elated--and rather small. Talbot had alone and without, so
to speak, moving from his tracks, made a fortune, while we, after going
through many hardships, adventures, and hard work, had returned almost
penniless. One of our first tasks was to convince Talbot of the
injustice to himself in giving us shares based on a proportionate money
investment. We made him see, after a while, that his own genius counted
for something in the matter. He then agreed, but reluctantly, to reduce
our shares to a twentieth each, and included me in this, despite our
previous agreement. If we had adhered to that, my proportion would have
been nearer a fortieth.

This having been decided--after considerable argument--we settled down
to wait for the completion of the Ward Block. Once the rents from that
structure should begin to come in, it was agreed we should take out
ready money enough to return East. The remainder, less Talbot's
expenses, would of course have to go back into releasing all the other
interests. The formal opening had been arranged for the first of
January.

In the meantime we loafed magnificently, and lived on my money. Now that
our futures were all assured, Yank and Johnny condescended to temporary
loans. Occasionally we could help Talbot in some of the details of his
varied businesses, but most of the time we idled. I do think we deserved
a rest.

Our favourite occupation was that of reviewing our property. To this end
we took long tramps over the hills, hunting painstakingly for obscure
corner stakes or monuments that marked some one of our numerous lots. On
them we would gaze solemnly, although in no manner did they differ from
all the other sage-brush hill country about them. In a week we knew
accurately every piece of property belonging to Our Interests, and we
had listed every other more intangible equity or asset. One of Johnny's
favourite feats was to march Yank and me up to a bar, face us, and
int