've seen them spread
gradually over the land--why, Bill, just think of the San Gregorio five
years hence--the San Gregorio where you and I have hunted quail since I
was ten years old. You gave me my first shot-gun--"

"Sonny," said old Bill Conway gently, passing his arm across Farrel's
shoulders, "I wish to goodness you'd shut up! I haven't got three
hundred thousand dollars, nor a tenth of it. If I had it I'd give it
to you now and save argument. But I'll tell you what I have got, son,
and that's a sense of humor. It's kept me poor all my life, but if you
think it will make you rich you're welcome to it." He looked up, and
his glance met Kay's. "This chap's a limited edition," he informed her
gravely. "After the Lord printed one volume, he destroyed the plates.
Mr. Parker, sir--" He stepped up to John Parker and smote the latter
lightly on the breast--"Tag; you're it!" he announced pleasantly.
"I'll cancel this contract when you hand me a certified check; for
twenty-four billion, nine-hundred and eighty-two million, four hundred
and seventeen thousand, six hundred and one dollars, nine cents, and
two mills."

"Conway," Parker answered him quietly, "I like your sense of humor,
even if it does hurt. However, you force me to fight the devil with
fire. Still, for the sake of the amenities, we should always make
formal declaration of war before beginning hostilities."

"And that's a trick you didn't learn in Japan," the old contractor
reminded him.

"So I hereby declare war. I'm a past master at holding hard to
whatever I do not wish the other fellow to take away from me, so build
your dam and be damned to you. Of course, if you complete your
contract eventually, you will force me to pay you for it, but in the
interim you will have had to use clam-shells and woodpecker heads for
money. I know I can stave off settlement of your judgment for a year;
after that, should I acquire title to the Rancho Palomar, I will settle
with you promptly."

"And if you shouldn't acquire title, I shall look to my young friend,
Don Miguel Farrel, for reimbursement. While at present the future may
look as black to Mike as the Earl of Hell's riding-boots, his credit is
good with me. Is this new law you've promulgated retroactive?"

"What do you mean?"

"You'll settle with me for all work performed up to the moment of this
break in diplomatic relations, won't you?"

"That's quite fair, Conway. I'll do that." Despite th