White took off his hat and walked up to where she stood.
"I'm sorry, Miss Sandys," he said. "Only a few hours ago did I learn who it was camping here on the Causeway. And—I'm afraid I know why you are here.... Because the same reason that brought you started me the next day."
She had recovered her composure. She said very gravely:[281]
"I wondered when I saw you reading Valdez whether, by any possibility, you might think of coming here. And when you bought the other copy I was still more afraid.... But I had already secured an option on my lots."
"I know it," he said, chagrined.
"Were you," she inquired, "the client of Mr. Munsell who tried to buy from me the other half of Lot 210?"
"Yes."
"I wondered. But of course I would not sell it. What lots have you bought?"
"I took No. 200 to the northern half of No. 210."
"Why?" she asked, surprised.