“So you do not propose to exercise your option?”
“No, indeed-y!”
“How long since did you give up the idea of purchasing the Atterson place?” asked the lawyer, curiously.
“Pshaw! I gave up the idee 'way back there last spring,” chuckled Pepper.
“You haven't the paper with you, have you, Mr. Pepper?” asked Mr. Strickland, quietly.
The real estate man looked wondrous sly and tapped the side of his nose with a lean finger.
“Why, I tore up that old paper long ago. It warn't no good to me,” said Pepper. “I wouldn't take the farm at that price for a gift,” and he departed with a sneering smile upon his lips.
“And well he did destroy it,” declared Mr. Strickland. “It was a forgery—that is what it was. And if we could have once got Pepper in court with it, he would not have turned another scaly trick for some years to come.”