“My dear madam,” the man was saying, “I assure you everything is open and above board. We are making you an exceptionally good offer for very poor land. In fact, if I had my way, the purchase would not be made.” “Then why talk of it?” asked Mrs. Dexter. “I am not anxious to sell. In fact, I know very little about the land.” “A client of mine has taken a fancy to the place,” went on the man, while Larry listened, wondering who it could be. “He has authorized me to offer you two thousand dollars for the Bronx property. That is four times what it is worth, but I want to please my friend. Will you accept my offer?” “No, she will not!” exclaimed Larry, entering the room at that moment. “Who are you, to come here making offers for land?” “I don’t know that it concerns you,” replied the stranger, in no gentle tones. “What right have you to interfere when I am talking to this lady?” He evidently took Larry for a stranger. “This is my son,” said Mrs. Dexter, for she did not like the man’s manner. “Oh, I beg your pardon,” said the stranger, who seemed at a loss what to say. “I did not know him. You are Larry, are you?” “That’s my name. What is your business with my mother?” The man appeared ill at ease. He twisted about on the chair, and said: “Did you decide to take that offer a friend of mine in the real estate business made? I called to see if you had, and I was talking to your mother about it. Incidentally I mentioned that I could sell some property I hear she owns up in the Bronx. It is a small matter, hardly worth my while to bother with.” “Then I’d advise you not to bother with it,” spoke Larry, shortly. “We can look after our own affairs, I guess.” The man’s face flushed, and he seemed very angry. Then Larry remembered Mr. Newton’s advice to be careful of what he did or said in connection with the land. “Of course it’s very good of you to think of my mother and myself,” said Larry, a little more politely. “But we have not decided what to do about that land, and I have made up my mind to stay on the _Leader_, so you may tell your friend I cannot accept his offer.” “You had better think twice before you refuse my offer for the land,” the man went on. “As I said, it is of no value, particularly, but a friend of mine wants it. I might even offer you twenty-five hundred dollars for it, but that is as high as I can go. Will you take it?” “I think not,” replied Larry, motioning to his mother to make no answer. The reply seemed to make the man more angry than ever, and Larry could see him clench his fist, and grit his teeth. “Would you mind letting me see the deed?” the stranger asked. “It is possible I have made a mistake, and that the land I am after is not that which you own. A glance at the deed will set me right.” “I’m sorry, but we can’t let you see the deed,” spoke Larry. “I have been told to take good care of it, and not to let strangers have it.” “But I only want to glance at it,” said the man.