"Presently." Davies picked up the note. When he spoke, he addressed Mowbray. "I'll give you the note canceled in return for payment of half the amount; the rest to stand against a purchase I want to make."
"You can have it all. I have no wish to defer payment. And I don't understand what your purchases have to do with me."
"I'll explain. One of your young neighbors is giving up his farm. He hasn't broken much land and the buildings are small. The place ought to go cheap, and I'm open to buy it. Then there's a section of vacant land, and I'm willing to pay a small sum for an option of taking it up at a fixed price in a year's time."
Mowbray looked at him in cold surprise.
"To begin with, I cannot sell you my neighbor's property; nor can I give you an option on the vacant lot."
"In a sense that's true, but you can fix things as I want it if you like. Your word goes a long way in these matters."
"I see no reason why I should use my influence in your favor."
"It's impossible!" Brand interposed bluntly. "We are very careful whom we let in at Allenwood."
"In short, you mean to keep me out," Davies suggested with an ugly smile.
"Take it for granted that we cannot sell you the land you want."