got it from another somebody, and so on. There's talk about
good prices bein' offered and, accordin' to Alvin, Ostable folks are
pretty excited. Elnathan Mullet, who owns that strip below your house,
knows somethin' about it, I think. I shouldn't wonder if he'd had an
offer, or a hint, or somethin'. But Elnathan's mouth shuts tighter than
a muskrat trap and I couldn't get nothin' out of him. He just looked
knowin' and that was all. But, if it's so, it may mean a heap to
Denboro."

I was considering the news when he spoke again.

"It might mean a lot to you, Ros," he whispered.

"How so?"

"Why, this way: If this concern offered you enough money you might sell
out to them, mightn't you? Sell all your place, I mean; you could
get another one easy enough. You ain't particular about livin' by the
shore."

"But--you urge me to SELL!" I exclaimed. "Sell the Shore Lane with the
rest?"

"Why not? You wouldn't be sellin' to Colton. And, if this development
scheme is what they say it is, there'll be roads cut through all along
shore. The town could use any of 'em; at least that arrangement might be
made. Think it over, Ros. If they do offer and offer enough, I'd sell,
if I was you. Say! that would be a reef under His Majesty's bows, hey?
Jolt him some, I cal'late."

I did not answer. This was a new possibility. Of course his reason for
advising my selling was plain enough, but, leaving the Coltons entirely
aside, the idea was not without allurement. The town's convenience
in the matter of a road might be considered, just as he said. And my
scruples against selling at a profit were, after all, based upon that
feature.

"You think it over," he counseled. "Don't say nothin' to nobody, but
just think--and wait. I'll keep my eye to wind'ard and see what I
can find out. I tell you honest, Ros, I'll feel safer when I know old
Imperial's game's blocked for good and all."

Old Imperial himself made his appearance before closing hours. I looked
up from my work to see him standing by the window. He had not expected
to see me there--evidently his daughter had not considered Mother's news
of sufficient importance to repeat--and, at first, he did not recognize
me.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Colton," said I.

He nodded. "Cash this for me, will you," he said, pushing a check
through the opening. "What? Hello! What in blazes are you doing in
there?"

"I am employed here now," I answered.

"Humph! how long since?"

"Ten days, or s