Of course you will file a bond to lift
the attachment, but Bill will have your assets where he can levy on
them when he gets round to collecting on the judgment which he will
secure against you unless you proceed with the contract for that dam."
"And this is Conway's work entirely?"
"Yes, sir."
"It's clever work. I'm sorry it wasn't yours. May I have the loan of
a saddle horse--Panchito or the gray?"
"Not to ride either of them, breakfastless, twenty-one miles to El Toro
in two hours. They can do it, but not under an impost of a hundred and
ninety pounds. You might ruin both of them--" he scraped his chin,
smiling blandly-- "and I know you'd about ruin yourself, sir. The
saddle had commenced to get very sore before you had completed eight
miles yesterday."
"Then I'm out of luck, I dare say."
"Strikes me that way, Mr. Parker."
"Very well. You force me to talk business. What will that quit-claim
deed cost me?"
"Six hundred thousand dollars. I've raised the ante since last night."
"I'll not pay it."
"What will you pay?"
"About fifty per cent. of it."
"I might consider less than my first figure and more than your last.
Make me a firm offer--in writing--and I'll give you a firm answer the
instant you hand me the document. I'm a poor bargainer. Haggling
irritates me--so I never haggle. And I don't care a tinker's hoot
whether you buy me off or not.
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