“Not at all,” replied the owner of the farm. “They have discussed the matter with me several times, but no agreement has been reached.”
“No written agreement perhaps,” broke in Thompson. “But I certainly thought that we had reached a verbal agreement, or at least a practical understanding the last time we were over here.”
“That’s what I thought,” said Bragden, backing up his partner.
“Sure we did,” growled Hankinshaw.
“Nothing of the kind,” returned Mr. Goby indignantly. “That is wholly your own assumption. I distinctly told you then, as I had told you before, that you would have to take the matter up with Judge Wilson and that I would do nothing without his approval.”
The judge looked at the three men keenly.
“I have always been within easy reach,” he remarked. “May I ask why you have not brought the matter to my attention?”
“Our plan has always been to save expense and delay by dealing directly with the owners of property,” replied Thompson.
“Even when that owner happens to be a blind man?” asked the judge, with a tinge of sarcasm in his tone.
“His daughter could read the papers to him,” replied Thompson defensively.