he yelled to Lopez. "He's going
to do it! Keep your hand on your gun!"

"I thought," Pell brought out reluctantly, "I thought there might be--oil
on it."

Lopez was dumbfounded. This was far more interesting than even he had
calculated.

"Oil?" he said.

Pell looked down. "But I think, under the circumstances, I shall not take
up my option." The paper was in his hand, and Lopez, seeing it, reached as
if to take it, when Pell handed the document to him. "In which case," Pell
informed the bandit, "the place would belong to him," shrugging a shoulder
toward Uncle Henry.

"What's that?" the latter asked.

"--making him a very rich man indeed," Pell added, significantly.

Aghast at the turn affairs had taken, Uncle Henry could scarcely speak.
"Well, for the love o' Mike!" he managed to say.

The bandit now turned full upon Uncle Henry, who was still concealed in the
shadow of the alcove. "Ah! so you would have all ze money!"

"No, I wouldn't!" Uncle Henry protested. "I--" He quickly put his hand to
his mouth, stopping it like a child caught in a lie. "I mean--yes, I
wouldn't! Only we ain't found the oil yet. And personally, I don't believe
there's any here in the first place!" Realizing what he had said, he caught
himself again. "I mean, it may be here, but--Don't shoot yet! I'll get it
in a minute!" he begged. He was agitated to the breaking point.

Hardy stepped forward, "Wait. I've a suggestion to offer," he said.

"Yes?" Lopez uttered the word as though he had grave doubts.

"You're after money," the tall, lank neighbor said. "I'll tell you how we
can make some--make a lot."

"Well?" said Lopez, still far from convinced, and taking things easily.

Hardy spoke more rapidly. "If the mortgage I hold on this property isn't
paid by eight o'clock to-night, it becomes mine. Keep that paper here until
eight o'clock, and I'll give you ten thousand dollars!" He watched the
effect of his words on the Mexican.

Pell spoke before the bandit. "Why, damn you--" he began, to Hardy.

But the latter paid no attention to his insult. He faced Lopez, as though
he were the only person in the room. "What do you say, is it a go?"

"Wait a minute!" Pell cried.

Lopez faced him. "Yes?" And puffed his cigarette.

Pell addressed both the bandit and Jasper Hardy. "I'll make a better offer.
Keep _him_ here until eight o'clock, and I'll give you twenty thousand
dollars!"

Lopez was considering, "H'm," he murmured, and stroked