"It is Larkin's outfit, of course. That young engineer they've got down there has spudded in the Consuegra, that you passed up, and it's producing seven hundred and fifty barrels a day as a starter."
Wiley thrust out his jaw.
"That's all right. I know Larkin's man; Kearn Thode, his name is. I met him before out in Oklahoma, and I've no use for him. He's had little use for me, either, and between you and me, he's got less now than ever before, only he doesn't know it!" He laughed shortly. "You might be surprised to know that Larkin himself was after the Lost Souls."
"What?" Chase swirled about in his chair to face his partner.
"Fact. I don't know how he got wind of it, but as soon as Thode showed up and began nosing about I knew what his game was."
"No wonder they're butting in on our affairs! We'll have to do some quick work——"
Wiley laughed again.
"No fear of trouble from Thode. I beat him to it and spiked his guns at the same time. He's given it up as a bad job; that's why he tackled the Consuegra. Wait till we pull off the big noise and he'll be welcome to all the jitney gushers below the border."
"When we do," Harrington Chase observed with emphasis. "We'll have to get hold of the old dame first."
"We'll land her." Wiley smote his desk. "There isn't a woman living, young or old, who can cut the ground out from under my feet!"