"Well," said Mr. Ranquist, at length, "I must say I consider this a rather high-handed proceeding. By what right, sir, are you working on my property? Do you know," addressing Mr. Vanter, "that you and your men are trespassing, and are liable to arrest?"
"Since when have you owned this land?" asked the surveyor, coolly. "This belongs to Bert Kimball, a friend of mine, and—"
"It doesn't belong to him any more," broke in Mr. Ranquist.
"Since when has he ceased to own it?"
"Well, I don't know as that is any of your affair, but I'll tell you. Since yesterday afternoon Mr. Kimball ceased to be the owner, when he signed an agreement to sell this piece to the Universal Salt Company."
Mr. Vanter started, and looked at Roger, who sorrowfully nodded in confirmation of what the engineer had said.
"There's his son; ask him," went on Mr. Ranquist, pointing to Adrian.
"I guess it's true," said the boy, in response to Mr. Vanter's look. "But," he added, "my father would never have agreed to sell it if he had known there was salt on it."
"I would imagine not," said Mr. Vanter, softly, to himself.
"That was his lookout, not mine," came from Mr. Ranquist. Turning to Mr. Vanter, he added: "I advise you to leave here, my friend. I'll overlook the trespass for once, but don't let it happen again," and he frowned in a significant manner.