which to act. Uncle Sid had not been ruffled and he went so far as to
advise Winston against worry.

"Seymour's fixin' things to do when he gets out here. What's time for
him is time for us. Let's you an' me fix up things while he's thinkin'
about it." And that is what they proceeded to do and very effectively.

As a matter of fact, a prosaic wash-out on the line had prevented
Seymour's bodily presence in Ysleta, but it had hampered in no way the
presence of his spirit, nor did it hamper his thoughts. The rumor of
Elijah's defalcation had not disturbed Seymour seriously. He imagined he
knew for what purpose the money had been diverted. He shrewdly guessed
that it had been spent in the acquisition of new land. This was not
displeasing, for the land could not get away and he could frighten
Elijah into disgorging.

Seymour had been especially attracted by Winston. In the bottom of his
heart, he had resolved at a fitting time to gather that young man to
himself. His intentions were not born of purely philanthropic motives,
for experience had taught him that greater heights can be scaled by the
aid of others than by unassisted efforts. He felt sure that no one in
California knew better what land was worth while and what was not, than
Winston and Elijah; therefore, he again concluded that his money was
really well invested. And so it happened that, after the wash-out had
been repaired, he placidly resumed his journey.

Meanwhile Winston and Uncle Sid were at the Rio Vista.

"I think," Winston was saying, "that that wash-out has saved the day."

"I bet Mr. Seymour's been studyin' how to do things, an' while he's been
studyin', we've been an' done 'em, that is, pretty near." Uncle Sid
wheeled around in his chair and faced Winston. "Have you seen 'Lige
lately?"

"No. I'm pretty sure that he's keeping out of sight purposely. I can't
make anything out of him these days. He's taking an unusual amount of
interest in my work lately. He's been from one end of the canal line to
the other and I don't believe that there's a single stone or a shovelful
of dirt in the whole dam that he doesn't know the size of; and yet I
never run across him. I hear that he's giving the dam his especial
attention just now."

"More than Helen?" Uncle Sid looked bluntly at Winston.

"Oh, that reminds me." Winston was trying to speak indifferently. "The
dam will be finished next week. Helen is to swing the last stone into
position. She said that sh