“I have,” the other man replied.
He had not spoken before, and he seemed to enjoy the boy’s distress. He was a small man, shabbily dressed, and there was nothing about his appearance to indicate that he could be possessed of wealth.
He paused after those two words and appeared to relish prolonging the suspense.
Ben turned upon him. “What have you got to do with it?” he asked.
“I happen to be the owner of the land—and improvements.”
“But you leased it, and the lease does not expire until next November. The improvements belong to the man who leased the land and put them on it.”
“The lease expired a month ago.”
“That is false!” Ben’s indignation was so great that he could hardly speak.
“Mr. Madge told us that the lease ran for thirty-five years, and commenced in November, 1866!”