an.

"Don't know just what is the hitch," wrote Jack Orde. "It ought to be
the simplest matter in the world, and so I told Russell in the Land
Office to-day. They seem inclined to fall back on their technicalities,
which is all rot, of course. The man wants to be annoying for some
reason, but I'll take it higher at once. Have an appointment with the
Chief this afternoon...."

The next letter came by the following mail.

"This seems to be a bad mess. I can't understand it, nor get to the
bottom of it. On the face of the showing here we've just bulled ahead
without any regard whatever for law or regulations. Of course, I showed
your letter stating your agreement and talks with Plant, but the
department has his specific denial that you ever approached him. They
stand pat on that, and while they're very polite, they insist on a
detailed investigation. I'm going to see the Secretary this morning."

Close on the heels of this came a wire:

"Plant submits reports of alleged sheep trespass committed this spring
by your orders. Wire denial."

"My Lord!" said Welton, as he took this. "That's why we never heard from
that! Bobby, that was a fool move, certainly; but I couldn't turn
Leejune down after I'd agreed to graze him."

"How about these lumber contracts?" suggested Bob.

"We've got to straighten this matter out," said Welton soberly.

He returned a long telegram to Congressman Orde in Washington, and
himself interviewed Plant. He made no headway whatever with the fat man,
who refused to emerge beyond the hard technicalities of the situation.
Welton made a journey to White Oaks, where he interviewed the
Superintendent of the Forest Reserves. The latter proved to be a
well-meaning, kindly, white-whiskered gentleman, named Smith, who
listened sympathetically, agreed absolutely with the equities of the
situation, promised to attend to the matter, and expressed himself as
delighted always to have these things brought to his personal attention.
On reaching the street, however, Welton made a bee-line for the bank
through which he did most of his business.

"Mr. Lee," he asked the president, "I want you to be frank with me. I am
having certain dealings with the Forest Reserve, and I want to know how
much I can depend on this man Smith."

Lee crossed his white hands on his round stomach, and looked at Welton
over his eyeglasses.

"In what way?" he asked.

"I've had a little trouble with one of his subordinates. I've j