"You played the books throughout the country, Mr. Farrel?" one of the
judges asked.
Don Mike smiled knowingly. "I admit nothing," he replied.
The testimony of Parker and Danny Leighton was scarcely needed to
convince the judges that nothing illegal had been perpetrated. When
Don Mike had collected his share of the purse and the book-makers,
convinced that they had been out-generaled and not swindled, had issued
checks for their losses and departed, smiling, John Parker drew Farrel
aside.
"Son," he demanded, "did you spoil the Egyptians and put over a Roman
holiday?"
Again Don Mike smiled his enigmatic smile. "Well," he admitted, "I'm
ready to do a little mortgage lifting."
"I congratulate you with all my heart. For heaven's sake, take up your
mortgage immediately. I do not wish to acquire your ranch--that way.
I have never wished to, but if that droll scoundrel, Bill Conway,
hadn't managed to dig up unlimited backing to build that dam despite
me, and if Panchito hadn't cinched your case for you to-day, I would
have had no mercy on you. But I'm glad you won. You have a head and
you use it; you possess the power of decision, of initiative, you're a
sporting, kindly young gentleman and I count it a privilege to have
known you." He thrust out his hand and Don Mike shook it heartily.
"Of course, sir," he told Parker, "King Agrippa is a good horse, but
nobody would ever think of entering him in a real classic.
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