“I don't make many mistakes,” he observed, slowly; “but I guess I've made one. You're a whole lot deeper'n I thought you was.”
So much for the proletariat. I heard from the plutocrats next day. Sim Eldredge dropped in on me. After much wriggling about the bush he intimated that he knew of Captain Jedediah's call and what had taken place.
“You done just right, Ros,” he whispered. He had a habit of whispering as the Captain had of shouting. “You done just right. Keep 'em guessin'; keep em guessin'. Jed's all upsot. He don't know whether he's keel down or on his beam ends. He'll be makin' a higher bid pretty soon. Say,” with a wink, “I see Colton last night.”
“Did you?”
“Yup. Oh, I give him a jolt. I hinted that the town had made you a fine offer and you was considerin' it.”
“What did you do that for? Who gave you the right to—”
“Sshh! Don't holler. Somebody might be listenin'. I come through the woods and round the beach so's I wouldn't be seen. What do you s'pose Colton said?”
“I don't care what he said.”
“You will when I tell you. He as much as offered a thousand dollars for that land. My crimps! a thousand! think of that! I presume likely you wouldn't take that, would you, Ros?”
“Sim, I'll tell you, as I told Captain Jed, that land is not for sale.”