“Just in time,” said Hubert Haverly, coming forward to meet him. “As soon as the steamer was signaled at the gate, I sent to look for our Arizona men. They are now at the back office waiting for you.”
“Tell me something about the matter, to guide me. And tell me too, how poor or how rich I am, before I make any bargain to purchase mines.”
“Well, on the whole, I guess I'll call you rich. I bought the farm as you—or rather as Everett—telegraphed. I paid—well, how much do you think I paid for it?”
“Hundred and forty thousand?”
Hubert shook his head, saying “Try again.”
“Hundred and twenty?”
“Ninety thousand only, lucky fellow.”
“What? You said he asked a hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Yes, and you—or Everett—telegraphed to pay the money, but you see the poor fellow lost heavily in stocks that day, and as the bank was going to foreclose on the farm for a loan of forty thousand, he thought the best thing he could do was to sell out quick. He came to see me and said ‘Do you think Clarence will buy for one hundred and twenty thousand?’ I told him I had telegraphed to you and probably you would come up. He said ‘If you pay me ninety thousand cash down to-day, Clarence can have the farm for that price.’ I told him to let me have the refusal for you, for that price, until the next morning. I got your telegram in the evening. Next morning he came looking very dejected, and asked if I had heard from you. ‘Yes,’ I said. He waited, but as I said no more, he added, ‘I hope Clarence is not going to pinch me hard. The farm is worth two hundred thousand, but as the Darrells made all the improvements on it, I am willing he should have it cheaper than any one else. How much does he offer?’ ‘He left it to me to make the best bargain I can. I will let you have the ninety thousand, of course.’ You never saw a man so relieved. He lifted his head and said, ‘I will pay all my debts and have thirty thousand clear, anyway, to make a beginning,’ and so the papers were drawn up and the farm is yours. I congratulate you.”
“Thanks,” Clarence said, squeezing Hubert's hand. “And now about the balance on hand and the Arizona mines.”