"Well, I'll think it over, Mr. Hildan," said Mr. Wilbur at last, and the two separated, and Hildan left the offices quietly and swiftly.
"That fellow is a sharper, and I know it," whispered Owen to Dale. "And I guess Mr. Wilbur knows it, too, for he didn't seem to care to have much to do with him."
Jefferson Wilbur now saw the two young lumbermen, and came toward them.
"Were you looking for me?" he asked, as he shook hands.
"Hardly that, but we are glad to see you," answered Owen, and then told how they chanced to be there.
"That job didn't pan out, eh?" said the lumber merchant. "I am sorry to hear it—for your sakes. But I think I can locate you at something better."
"At one of the camps of this company?"
"Hardly here, for, you see, I have just sold out my shares in this concern. I am here to wind the matter up. In the future my business interests will be centered in New York City and in Oregon. As you perhaps know, we are organizing the Wilbur-Balasco Lumber Company of Oregon, with camps at different places. Mr. Ulmer Balasco is in charge out there, while I am looking up our interests in the East."
"Do you want hands in Oregon?" asked Dale, with deep interest.
"I think we do—unless Balasco has already secured them. But if you want to try your luck out there, say the word, and I will get you railroad tickets, and I'll give you a letter to Balasco, telling him to find an opening for you if he possibly can. You see, according to our contract, he is to run the camps to suit himself, and hire all his own help, but I fancy my letter to him will secure to you what you want."