you!
You'd give your head for a football to anybody you love, but the man
who takes anything away from you will have to get up early in the
morning."

"Go to the head of the class, boy. You're right. I figured Parker
would be getting up rather early tomorrow morning and dusting into El
Toro to clear for action, so I thought I'd come in to-night. I'm going
to rout out an attorney the minute I get to town, have him draw up a
complaint in my suit for damages against Parker for violation of
contract, file the complaint the instant the county clerk's office
opens in the morning and then attach his account in the El Toro bank."

"You might attach his stock in that institution while you're at it,
Bill. However, I wouldn't stoop so low as to attach his two
automobiles. The Parkers are guests of mine and I wouldn't
inconvenience the ladies for anything,"

"By the Holy Poker! Have they got two automobiles?" There was a hint
of apprehension in old Conway's voice.

"Si, _senor_. A touring car and a limousine."

"Oh, lord! I'm mighty glad you told me, Miguel. I only stole the
spark plugs from that eight cylinder touring car. Lucky thing the
hounds know me. They like to et me up at first."

Farrel sat down on the filthy running board of Bill Conway's car and
laughed softly. "Oh, Bill, you're immense! So that's why you're
running without lights! You concluded that even if he did get up early
in the morning you couldn't afford to permit him to reach El Toro
before the court-house opened for business."

"A wise man counteth his chickens before they are hatched, Miguel.
Where does Parker keep the limousine?"

"Bill, I cannot tell you that. These people are my guests."

"Oh, very well. Now that I know it's there I'll find it. What did you
want to see me about, boy?"

"I've been thinking of our conversation of this afternoon, Bill, and as
a result I'm panicky. I haven't any right to drag you into trouble or
ask you to share my woes. I've thought it over and I think I shall
play safe. Parker will get the ranch in the long run, but if I give
him a quit-claim deed now I think he will give me at least a quarter of
a million dollars. It'll be worth that to him to be free to proceed
with his plans."

"Yes, I can understand that, Miguel, and probably, from a business
standpoint, your decision does credit to your common sense. But how
about this Jap colony?"

"Bill, can two lone, poverty-stricken Californians