"Why not?"
"Because I think it is very valuable and his title perfect. And he knows it."
Wickersham glanced at him in the dusk.
"It isn't valuable at all," he said after a pause. "I will give you a good fee if you will get through a deal for it at any price we may agree on. Come!"
"No," said Keith; "not for all the money you own. My advice to you is to go to Squire Rawson and either offer to take him in with you to the value of his lands, or else make him a direct offer for what those lands are really worth. He knows as much about the value of those lands as you or Mr. Halbrook or any one else knows. Take my word for it."
"Rats!" ejaculated Wickersham, briefly. "I tell you what," he added presently: "if he don't sell us that land he'll never get a cent out of it. No one else will ever take it. We have him cornered. We've got the land above him, and the water, too, and, what is more, his title is not worth a damn!"
"Well, that is his lookout. I expect you will find him able to take care of himself."
Wickersham gave a grunt, then he asked Keith suddenly:
"Do you know a man named Plume over there at Gumbolt?"
"Yes," said Keith; "he runs the paper there."