e
thousand dollars."

His expression changed. He knocked the ashes from his cigar and frowned.

"I see," he sneered. "Humph! Well, I've tried to make it plain to you
fellows down here that I couldn't be held up. I thought I'd done it, but
evidently I haven't. Five hundred is a good price for that land. Five
thousand is ridiculous, but I gave you my reasons for being willing to
be robbed that much. That, however, is the limit. I'll give you five
thousand, but not another cent. You can take it or get out."

This was better. When he talked like that I could answer him and enjoy
it.

"I'll get out very shortly," I said. "You are no more anxious to have
that happen than I am. I don't want your other cent. I don't want your
five thousand dollars. I'll sell you the land on one condition--no, on
two. The first is that you pay me thirty-five hundred dollars for it."

"WHAT?"

I had upset his composure this time. He forgot to sneer; he even forgot
to smoke.

"What?" he cried again. "Thirty-five hundred! Why, I offered you--"

"I know your offer. This is mine: I will sell you the land for
thirty-five hundred, and not another cent. That, as you say, is the
limit. You can take it or--or I will follow your suggestion and get
out."

We looked at each other. His fingers moved toward the match box on the
table. He took a match, scratched it, and held it to the end of his
cigar. Then he took the cigar from his lips, blew out the match and
tossed the latter into the fireplace.

"What is the second condition?" he asked, abruptly.

"That you pay me in cash, in money and not by check, at once."

"At once? Now, do you mean?"

"Yes, now. To-night if possible; if not, no later than nine o'clock
to-morrow morning."

"Humph! Do you think I carry thirty-five hundred loose in my change
pocket?"

"I don't know. But that is the second condition."

"Humph! . . . Look here, Paine; what--? I offered you the five thousand.
That offer holds good."

"I don't accept it. I will sell for thirty-five hundred; no more and no
less."

"But why not more?"

"I don't know. Yes, I do, too. You said once that you were willing to
pay forty-five hundred for the privilege of having your own way. Perhaps
I am willing to sacrifice fifteen hundred for the privilege of having
mine. At all events I mean what I say."

"But why just thirty-five? Wouldn't you take thirty-six?"

"No. It is useless to argue, Mr. Colton, and useless to ask my reasons.