"The soil, Mr. Worth, is, I believe, as good as there is in the Basin."
The three men awaited the next question with breathless interest.
"Thank you, Mr. Holmes. Mr. Greenfield, I will consider the proposition."
The president and manager could scarcely believe their ears. The engineer vanished.
Jefferson Worth continued: "How long have you planned to be in the
Basin this trip, Mr. Greenfield?"
"This week only. I start on my inspection with Mr. Burk and Mr. Holmes in the morning."
"I asked because I must go out in the morning for a few days, and I suppose you wish to close the deal before you leave."
"You think favorably of the proposition, then?"
"If we can get together on the terms"—Worth spoke exactly, as if he wished hie words to be remembered—"I will accept it. Suppose you put your proposition in writing and mail it to me in the city to-morrow. Then when I get back we will be in shape to finish the matter one way or the other. If everything is satisfactory and I see I can't get home before you leave I will wire you."
Thirty minutes after Jefferson Worth had returned to his office, Abe
Lee came in. "You sent for me, sir?"