"Why not?" asked the stranger, in surprise. "Do you know him?"
"I never saw him in my life."
"Then how can you form any opinion on the subject?"
Ben smiled.
"The answer is easy enough," he said. "Mr. Jackson can't sell what he doesn't own."
"Do you mean to say that he is not the owner of the farm which he proposes to sell us?"
"That is just what I mean. He is no more the owner than you or I."
"You speak confidently, young man. Perhaps you can tell me who is the owner?"
"I can. The owner is Mrs. Hamilton, of New York."
"Indeed! That is a genuine surprise. Can you give me her address? I should like to communicate with her."