“Hello,” Harrison greeted him. “Sorry we couldn’t get up to see you sooner. But we’re going away to-morrow, and I thought we’d just say good-by.”
“Finished your fish experiments?” Tom asked.
“Yes—got some good fresh material. I think I’ll make a hit with my articles.”
They sat down in front of the old barn in the sunshine. Harrison and his guide lighted pipes, and for some time they chatted casually.
“By the way,” said Harrison at last, “how far does this claim of yours extend? What’s its boundary?”
“Why, down to the lake,” Tom responded, though he was by no means sure of it.
“I see. I suppose you wouldn’t care to sell the place?”
“I couldn’t. It’s my uncle’s.”
“Yes, but he seems to have abandoned it. You’ve taken it over. Isn’t that how it stands? I don’t think your cultivation and improvements would satisfy the government land agents, though. I don’t know exactly what your legal position is, but I might pay you something for them, whatever they are, on condition that you turn the ranch over to me at once.”
“What in the world do you want of it?” Tom demanded.