"I feel kind of diffident. I don't want to say anything that might alarm your sister."
Miss Oliver smiled. "You needn't hesitate. My brother generally takes me into his confidence, and I don't think either of us is very easily startled."
"Won't you send the boys away, anyhow?"
"No," said Mr. Oliver quietly, "I think I mentioned that I'd rather let them stay."
"Well," said the other, "this is the position. The gentlemen you mentioned can land their stuff near here and get it away through the bush easily; that is, if you'll lie by and take no hand against them. There are other routes, but they're longer and more difficult, and my friends would rather stick to this one if it's possible. The question is how can they make it worth your while to shut your eyes and leave them alone?"
Harry suddenly straightened himself and Frank noticed the quick flush of anger in his face, but Miss Oliver was smiling and the rancher's voice was as tranquil as usual.
"The answer's very simple," he said. "It can't be done."
Mr. Watkins appeared astonished.
"I want you to consider your position," he repeated.
"I may tell you that I considered it carefully some months ago, but there's a point I'd like to mention. Has it struck you that I might promise to fall in with your friends' views and all the same give them away?"