"But I didn't do anything, Mr. Hartley. I do wish I could see Mrs. Granger when he gets there, though. I—I'm afraid she doesn't like cowboys much better than Mrs. Miller does."
There was a moment's silence. Mr. Hartley was scowling at the bit of paper in his hand.
"Did you say you didn't know where that oil well was, Mr. Hartley?" asked Cordelia, timidly.
"Yes. I don't know where it is—and I reckon there doesn't anybody else know, either," he answered slowly. "I know where it claims to be, and I know it is just one big swindle from beginning to end."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," sighed the girl.
"So am I, my dear. I'm sorry for Mr. Hodges, and lots of others that I know lost money in the same thing. But it can't be helped now."
"Then there aren't any oil wells here at all in Texas?" asked Cordelia, tearfully.
"Bless you, yes, child—heaps of them! You'll see them, too, probably, before you leave the state. But—you won't see this one."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," mourned Cordelia, again, as sadly she took the bit of paper back to her room.