"Ask her again, son," put in the paternal clerk.
"Was already married," the sergeant went on. "Isn't there any way I can get hold of this section"—pointing out the one he had selected—"without hitching into double harness?"
The land agent raised bushy gray brows at this request for an entire section which in Canadian land measurement represents six hundred and forty acres. He explained that the largest of the ready-made farms were but half that acreage; but he could sell him one section—or two, for that matter—on terms of one-twentieth cash and the balance in nineteen annual payments.
"This for me then," said Childress with decision, and he indicated the location he desired.
"For your own satisfaction, we require a personal inspection of the land you propose to buy before you buy it." The agent seemed somewhat puzzled by this unusual client.
"Inspected it on my way from the border," Childress explained. "If it don't turn the trick for me, I don't know of a vacant section that will. In the beginning, I'll graze stock instead of cultivating. What's the initial payment?"
The land agent's eyes blinked at the easiest customer he had handled in many a day. Then he recited other requirements: occupation within six months of date of purchase; railroad reservation of all minerals, gas and petroleum; unencumbered ownership of stock if maintained in lieu of cultivation. But to all these provisos the sergeant nodded ready agreement, handed over the first payment and edged down the counter while waiting for his receipt that the flame lady might have her turn at the maps.
His face wore a satisfied expression over what he considered a good morning's work. The section of Dominion land was to serve, of course, as a cover for his professional activities in the Fire Weed country. "Nobody can raise serious objection to a man hanging around his own individual property and keeping his eyes open," he mused. "And these acres are going to be Jack Childress' ranch for the next year at least. Afterward—well, it will be a tough break if the 'case' lasts into a second payment."
An exclamation from the fair land-seeker who had followed him at the counter startled the sergeant from his musing.
"Too late!" she cried. "Do you mean that I'm too late—that the section has been taken up just this minute?" There was anguish in every word of the cry and query.