rked, "It would be terrible if your irons got so hot that they
melted before you could use any one of them, wouldn't it?"

CHAPTER XIII

RIGGLEY & RATZGER OF NEW YORK

Every day that week was crowded with events for the people at Pebbly
Pit, and never had so many telegrams passed through the hands of the
amazed agent at Oak Creek. First there were those sent by Barbara and
Eleanor, and the replies to them. Next day the two girls telegraphed
anew from Oak Creek, and these had replies which were forwarded by Alec
Hewitt who passed Brewster's ranch. Following these, came a telegram
from Anne, saying she had heard from Mr. Maynard and would meet him as
planned. Then there came one from Mr. Latimer's office in New York to
Tom, saying that Dr. Evans and Mr. Latimer had started for the West on
Thursday, on the Limited. Probably they would reach Pebbly Pit on Sunday
or Monday. Closely following that message, came one to Mr. Brewster from
New York, signed Riggley & Ratzger, Lawyers, to the effect that "they
had been appointed the representatives for the company that was formed
to make jewels from lava-stone, and they would take great pleasure in
visiting Pebbly Pit on Saturday or Sunday, in order to inspect the
Rainbow Cliffs. They might be induced to make an offer for the ranch."

The latter suggestion caused Sam Brewster to laugh as he had not done
since he heard his Polly was determined to go to school. "What do you
think of such sublime fools, Maw?" chuckled he, handing the telegram
across the table as they sat on the porch.

"Why, I don't understand. If Evans and Latimer are on their way here,
why do they need representatives? Isn't Tom's father a real good lawyer
in New York?" said she.

"Sure, but the names alone give me an idea that they are crooks--listen:
Riggley and Ratzger. Doesn't it make you think of all queer kinds of
fish that one finds in big cities?" laughed her husband.

Tom came from the barns about this time, and Mrs. Brewster turned to
tell him the latest news about the seekers of lava-stones. In
corroboration of his wife's words, Sam Brewster held out the telegram.

Tom took it in trembling hands, for he had heard of the men whose names
were signed to the message. Then he glanced at the signatures and that
broke his amazed spell of silence.

"Why! Mr. Brewster, how dare they plan to visit here?" he shouted, his
face as red as a poppy.

"Oh, do you know them?" wondered Mr. Brewster.

"K