e will be enabled, under this atrocious code
of business morals, to acquire a property worth at least a million
dollars?"

"Such is the law--a law as old as the world itself."

"Why, then, the whole thing is absurdly simple, Don Mike. All you have
to do is to get a friend to bid against my father and run the price up
on him to something like a half-way decent sum. In that way you should
manage to save a portion of your equity."

He bent upon her a benign and almost paternal glance. "You're
tremendously sweet to put that flea in my ear, Kay. It's a wonderful
prescription, but it lacks one small ingredient--the wealthy,
courageous and self-sacrificing friend who will consent to run the
sandy on your astute parent, as a favor to me."

She gave him a tender, prescient little smile--the smile of one who
sees beyond a veil objects not visible to the eyes of other mortals.

"Well, even if he is my dear father he ought to be nice about it and
see to it that you receive a fair price for your equity." She clenched
her little fist. "Why, Don Mike, that's just like killing the wounded."

"My dear girl, I do not blame your father at all. What claim have I on
his sympathy or his purse? I'm a stranger to him. One has to be a
sport in such matters and take the blow with a smile."

"I don't care. It's all wrong," she replied with spirit. "And I'm
going to tell my father so."

"Oh, I've thought up a plan for escaping with a profit," he assured
her, lightly. "It will leave you folks in undisputed possession of the
house and the ranch, leave Bill Conway free to proceed with his
valuable contract and leave me free to mount Panchito and fare forth to
other and more virgin fields--I trust. All of this within a period of
forty-eight hours."

Was it fancy, or had her face really blanched a little?

"Why--why, Don Mike! How extraordinary!"

"On the contrary, quite ordinary. It's absurdly simple. I need some
getaway money. I ought to have it--and I'm going to get it by the
oldest known method--extortion through intimidation. Your father is a
smart man and he will see the force of my argument."

"He's a very stubborn man and doesn't bluff worth a cent," she warned
him and added: "Particularly when he doesn't like one or when he is
angry. And whatever you do, do not threaten him. If you threaten him,
instantly he will be consumed with curiosity to see you make good."

"I shall not threaten him. I shall merely tal