"Auction?" Pell repeated.
"'E who bids ze 'ighest," Lopez elucidated, "shall 'ave ze little paper and shall come wiz me while I show 'im where ze oil she is 'iding." He flicked the ashes of his cigarette upon the floor, and sat on the corner of the table, one foot dangling in the air.
"Gad!" Pell let out. His hands went together, his jaw set. Things were coming out beautifully.
Lopez went on: "While 'e who does not bid ze 'ighest shall stay 'ere wiz Pedro until eight o'clock to-night."
Hardy was delighted. "You mean the highest bidder will not only get the place but that you'll show him where the oil is besides?"
"Si. Is it so agree?"
"I'm for that," Pell said.
"But I—" Hardy began.
"I bid one hundred thousand dollars," Pell quickly cried.