l I see you
some time to-morrow, partner."

Mr. Sleighter scented another salvage deal, his keen eyes gleamed a bit,
the firm lips were pressed a little more closely together.

"And say," he said, turning back, "I don't wonder you can't do business.
I couldn't do anything myself with a missis like yours. I couldn't
get any smooth work over with her lookin' at me like that, durned if I
could. Well, good-night; see you to-morrow."

Mr. Sleighter spent the early hours of the following day among the
farmers with whom his salvage deal had brought him into contact. The
wrecker's instinct was strong in him, and besides he regarded with
abhorrence the tactics of Mr. Martin and welcomed an opportunity to beat
that gentleman at his own game. He could easily outbid the Martin offer
and still buy the farm at a low price. As a result of his inquiries he
had made up his mind that the land was worth at the very least eighty
dollars an acre and the buildings at least two thousand more. Five
thousand would be a ridiculously low figure and six thousand not
extravagantly high for both buildings and farm. The farm with the store
and machine business attached might offer a fair opening to his son,
who was already weary of school and anxious to engage in business for
himself.

"Guess I'll take a whirl out of the old boy," he said to himself. "He's
a durn fool anyway and if I don't get his money some one else will."

In the afternoon he made his way to the store. "Boss ain't in?" he
inquired of the clerk.

"No, he's at the house, I guess."

"Back soon?"

"Don't know. Guess he's busy over there."

"Seen Mr. Martin around?"

"Yes, he was here a while ago. Said he would be in again later."

Mr. Sleighter greatly disliked the idea of doing business with Mr.
Gwynne at his own house. "Can't do no business with his missis and
kids around," he said to himself. "Can't get no action with that woman
lookin' on seemingly. But that there old Martin geyser is on the job and
he might close things up. I guess I will wander over."

To his great relief he found Mr. Gwynne alone and without preliminaries,
and with the design of getting "quick action" before the disturbing
element of Mrs. Gwynne's presence should be introduced, he made his
offer. He explained his purpose in purchasing, and with something of
a flourish offered five thousand for "the hull plant, lock, stock and
barrel," cash down if specially desired, but he would prefer to pay half