"
"Oh, ho! So you've got religion, eh?"
"I have. Pablo dragged it into the yard last spring at the end of his
riata, and it lies buried in the San Gregorio. That makes the San
Gregorio consecrated ground. I always had an idea I was a pretty fair
American, but I dare say there's room for improvement. What do you
want for that power property?"
"I haven't the least idea. We'll get together with experts some day
and arrive at an equitable price.
"Thank you son. I'll not argue with you. You've given me a
first-class thrashing and the man who can do that is quite a fellow.
Nevertheless, I cannot see now where I erred in playing the game. Mind
telling me, boy?"
"Not at all. It occurred to me--assistance by Bill Conway--that this
property must be of vital interest to two power companies, the Central
California Power Company and the South Coast Power Corporation. Two
hypotheses presented themselves for consideration. First, if you were
developing the property personally, you had no intention of operating
it yourself. You intended to sell it. Second, you were not developing
it personally, but as the agent of one of the two power companies I
mentioned. I decided that the latter was the best hypothesis upon
which to proceed. You are a multi-millionaire trained in the fine art
of juggling corporations. In all probability you approached my father
with an offer to buy the ranch and he declined.
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