“What? what? You want to buy that ground, eh? Who for? Mr. Nesbitt?” said Durwood in some surprise.

“I want a thirty-day option and I want you to put it in my name. Here’s a thousand dollars to bind the bargain. See?”

Jonas Durwood saw the bills, and the sight of them melted all further opposition he may have thought of advancing with a view of a better figure.

The preliminaries were settled on the spot.

Dick got the option and the deed to the property, and Durwood got ten one-hundred-dollar bills.

Both parties to the contract were satisfied.

“Now,” said the boy, after the settlement had been effected, “there was a man down here negotiating with you for this land. Have you his name and address?”

“Yes,” replied Durwood. “Do you want it?”

“I’d like to have it.”

Mr. Durwood produced a card and handed it to Dick.