When he had made it all plain, the young woman exclaimed: "And this man
Greenfield and those with him in the Company are the men who are doing
the Seer's work; who are making the reclamation of the desert possible!
I don't—I can't understand it."
"It is a very simple business deal," said Worth. "There is nothing unusual about it. Greenfield and his men are good men; they are simply defending their interests from a competitor. This Desert never could be reclaimed at all without them or others like them."
"Tell me again, daddy; was Mr. Holmes sure that this land was worthless?"
"Certainly he was sure of it. He had all of Black's data giving the elevations."
"And he knew that they were trying to sell it to you?"
"Yes."
"But did he know why? Did he know it was a trap to ruin your work?"
"Certainly, he must have known."
The girl's voice trembled. "Oh, why—why didn't he tell you? Why didn't he warn you?"
"He did."