“Have you any knowledge of our place? That is, do you know anything about the value of Aspley plantation?”
“I know every foot of it. It is a fine bit of land.”
“What is it worth?”
Judge Lomax expectorated, rose and consulted one of the many land charts hanging on the wall, and then opened a worn volume on the table showing the farms of the county by section lines.
“Well, as to that,” he answered evasively, “it is hard to say—off hand. Are you desiring to sell the property?”
“I want to borrow some money on it and, later perhaps, if the price is right, we may sell it.”
Judge Lomax looked out of the window.
“I understand,” he said, after a pause, “that the entire place is mortgaged.”
“For $14,000,” answered Morey. “The Barber Bank holds the notes. They are due this fall. I want to pay them and save the place. I can’t let the land go for $14,000.”
“That’s a good deal of money,” commented the lawyer.