alize my predicament, Mr. Okada. Our deal is
definitely hung up for one year."

"Very great disappointment!" Okada replied sadly. "Next year, I zink
California legislature make new law so Japanese people have very much
difficulty to buy land. Attorneys for Japanese Association of
California very much frightened because they know Japanese
treaty-rights not affected by such law. If my people can buy this
valley before that law comes to make trouble for Japanese people, I
zink very much better for everybody."

"But, my dear Mr. Okada, I cannot make a move until Miguel Farrel fails
to redeem the property at the expiration of the redemption period, one
year hence."

"Perhaps that sheeps-man kill Mr. Farrel," Okada suggested, hopefully.
"I hoping, for sake of Japanese people, that sheeps-man very bad luck
for Mr. Farrel."

"Well, I wouldn't care to have him for an enemy. However, I dare say
Farrel knows the man well enough and will protect himself accordingly.
By the way, Farrel is violently opposed to Japanese colonization of the
San Gregorio."

"You zink he have prejudice against Japanese people?"

"I know it, Mr. Okada, and, for that reason, and the further reason
that our deal is now definitely hung up for a year, I suggest that you
return to El Toro with me this afternoon. I am no longer master here,
but I shall be delighted to have you as my guest at the hotel in El
Toro while you are making your investigations of the property. I wish
to avoid the possibility of embarrassment to you, to Mr. Farrel, and to
my family. I am sure you understand our position, Mr. Okada."

The potato baron nodded, scowling slightly.

XV

At a point where the road, having left the valley and climbed a grade
to a mesa that gave almost an air-plane view of the San Gregorio,
Miguel Farrel looked back long and earnestly. For the first time since
entering the car, at Kay Parker's invitation, he spoke.

"It's worth it," he announced, with conviction, "worth a fight to a
finish with whatever weapons come to hand. If I-- By the holy
poker! Sheep! Sheep on the Rancho Palomar! Thousands of them. Look!
Over yonder!"

"How beautiful they look against those green and purple and gold
hillsides!" the girl exclaimed.

"Usually a sheep is not beautiful to a cow-man," he reminded her.
"However, if those sheep belong to Loustalot, they constitute the
fairest sight mine eyes have gazed upon to date."

"And who might he be?"