Dave, who had heard what was said between Mr. Bellmore and the ranch owner listened with interest and expectation to what would come next. There was an odd manner about the proprietor of Bar U--a sort of constraint, and Dave fancied there was a little feeling, almost of hostility toward the man he had rescued from such a perilous position. Up to now Mr. Bellmore had enjoyed to the utmost the hospitality of Bar U ranch. Mr. Bellmore had been made very welcome, and he had had every care and attention while unable to use his injured foot. Now it seemed that a spirit of hostility had cropped out. "Before I go on to say what I intend to-to give you a warning in other words," said Mr. Carson, "let me ask you, Mr. Bellmore if you know why Molick is putting up new fences along the water course? I'd like to know the reason for that before I give you my warning." "A warning!" exclaimed the irrigation man, and there was evident surprise manifested in his tone. "Yes, a warning," repeated the ranch owner. "But please do not mistake my meaning. I'm not warning you of any threatened danger, but only of being careful what business dealings you have with Jason Molick, or any of his men." "Oh, I thought you meant you were going to warn me to move on," and Dave fancied his friend laughed with an air of relief. "Nothing like that yet," said Mr. Carson, smiling. "But about the fences, concerning which Pocus Pete spoke to me?" "Well, I suggested to Mr. Molick that he'd better put them up," said Mr. Bellmore. "You did!" There was great surprise manifested in the exclamation of Mr. Carson. "Why, yes, I did." "What for?" asked Mr. Carson. "Of course you know that if land is allowed to go unfenced for twenty years--or for a longer or shorter period according to different states--that the land becomes public property, or at least the public has a right-of-way over it and it can not be closed off. I did not want, in case our irrigation company took up Mr. Molick's land, to have a public right-of-way over it, especially so near the water. It might spoil our legal title. So I told him to fence it in before we did any business." "Then you haven't done any business yet?" "Not actually closed it, no. I am about to, and then I hope to do some business with you." Mr. Bellmore smiled frankly, but Mr. Carson's face was grave as he answered: "Well, I don't know. I'm afraid you can't do business with both of us, Mr. Bellmore." "Why not?" asked the Chicago man, somewhat surprised. "Because Mr. Molick and I--to be frank about it--don't pull together any too well. I'm not saying whose fault it is, but he and I have been on the outs for some time, and his men are continually seeking to pick quarrels with my men. He has taken more than his share of the water that is supposed to be for our joint use, and when I objected he was very ugly about it."