t be
he'd be tickled to let us have the cabin. Every hundred dollars' worth of
work done on that property, whether it's mine, trail, dam, or housework,
is equal to an assessment. If we remodel the house and use it, he can
buy the property or, as they say, 'prove up' on it. What do you say? I
believe we can make a bargain."

"It's a go!" cried Mr. Allen. "I was sure we would need your brains for
this job, Mr. Dean. Let's go right now." They looked up the desired
gentleman in the directory, then started for his office.

"Cheer up, old boy," cried Mr. Allen as he slapped Willis on the back.
"Here's where we win, uncle or no uncle. Isn't that right, Mr. Dean?"

"You feel too confident," returned Willis. "I see the game. You don't.
Mr. Beverly H. Pembroke will politely refuse any offer. My uncle has
coached him on what to say to any inquiries. See if I'm not right!"

"You haven't a very good opinion of that uncle of yours, have you?" said
Mr. Dean. "I don't see why he should be so vitally interested in keeping
you away from an old cabin. I think you imagine things, boy."

"You know some things are true that you can't see," tersely replied
Willis. "You can't see a pain in your stomach, but you can feel it and it
tells you something is wrong. It's just the same in this case. I can't
see it, but I know something is wrong, and the next thing for us to do is
to get our heads together and find out the causes. We're interested in
the causes."

Mr. Beverly H. Pembroke sat idly in his office. His feet were hoisted up
on the window sill, his straw hat tipped far back on his head, while a
long, slender cigar was held between his teeth. He was decidedly an
Englishman, and a very nervous, fidgety one at that. As the three entered
he got to his feet and inquired concerning their wants.

"Log cabin--Buffalo Park--Lode claim located August 22d." He puffed
meditatively at his cigar, endeavoring to focus his thoughts on the
matter before him. A frown clouded his face, then suddenly disappeared.

"Why-a, yes, ba Jove, this 'ot weather 'as nearly set me crazy. My brains
'ave been bemuddled all day, don't you know. Ba Jove, I most forgot that
new claim. Yes, yes, and you want 'ow many shares?"

Mr. Allen looked at Mr. Dean and smiled. "You do the talking," he said.

"Well, it's like this," said Mr. Dean. Then he laid his proposition
before the Englishman, who puffed away on his cigar and listened in
silence. "Sorry, very sorry, gentlem