“Um-m-m. Then I guess I can count on you as sure as on Gowan.”
“You can. I am going to try my best to win your daughter, Mr. Knowles. She’s a lady––the loveliest girl I ever met.”
“No doubt about that. What’s more, she’s got grit and brains. That’s why I tell you now, as I’ve told Kid, it’s for her to decide on the man she’s going to make happy. If he’s square and white, that’s all I ask.” 175
“About my helping Blake with his levels,” Ashton rather hastily changed the subject. “I am in your employ––and so is he, for that matter. Don’t you think I have a right to keep you posted on all his plans?”
“Well––yes. But he as much as says he will tell them himself.”
“Perhaps he will, and perhaps he won’t, Mr. Knowles. I’ve told you what Leslie is like; and Blake is his son-in-law.”
“Well, I’m not so sure. You and Kid, between you, have shaken my judgment of the man. It can’t do any harm to watch him, and I’ll be obliged to you for doing it. If it comes to a fight against him and the millions of backing he has, I want a fair deal and––But, Lord! what if we’re making all this fuss over nothing? It doesn’t stand to reason that there’s any way to get the water out of Deep Cañon.”
“Wait a week or so,” cautioned Ashton. “In my opinion, Blake already sees a possibility.”