“Why! the scamp!” ejaculated Nat, quite savagely.
“But that isn’t all the story?” queried Ned, turning to Dorothy. “What were you going to say about Philo Marsh?”
Dorothy at once told them how she and Tavia had hidden behind the window draperies when Mr. Philo Marsh was announced, having recognized him as he stood waiting on the porch.
“And you should have heard him talk!” interrupted Tavia.
“He is a very smooth talking man,” went on Dorothy, seriously, “and we could see father and Aunt Winnie were impressed.”
“But what did he want?” Ned demanded.
“He says he represents a committee of citizens of Desert City and the farmers on that side of the Hardin estate. He had papers all drawn up, ready to sign, leasing to him and his fellow-committeemen the water rights on the Hardin place, and he wants father and Aunt Winnie to sign up right now.”
“But they didn’t?” cried Ned and Nat.
“He urged them to. He claims haste is necessary.”
“Why?” asked the older cousin.