"Do you mean it?" demanded Wiley after a startled silence, and Blount slapped him heartily on the back. "Just try me," he said. "I've been looking up the market and tungsten is simply booming. It's quoted at forty-five for sixty per cent concentrates, and you must have tons and tons on the dump." "Yes, lots of it," admitted Wiley, "and say, now that you mention it, I believe I'll take you up. I need a little money to install some machinery and get the old mill to running. How about ten thousand dollars?" "Why--all right," assented Blount, after a moment's thought. "Of course you'll give some security?" "Oh, sure," agreed Wiley. "My option on the mine--I suppose that's what you're after?" Blount blinked for a moment, for such plain speaking was surprising from one as shrewd as Wiley, but he summoned up his smile and nodded. "Why--why, yes, that's all right. Say one per cent a month--payable monthly--those are our ordinary short-time terms." "Suits me," said Wiley. "But no cut-throat clauses--none of this Widow Huff line of stuff. If I forget to pay my interest that doesn't make the principal due and the security forfeit and so on, world without end." "Oh, no; no, certainly," cried Blount with alacrity. "We'll make it a flat loan, if you like, and endeavor to treat you right. Of course you'll start a checking account and----" "No," said Wiley, "if I borrow the money I'll take it out of your bank and put it in another, right away. I never let friendship interfere with business or warp my business judgment." "Yes, but Wiley," protested Blount, "what difference does it make? Isn't my bank perfectly safe and sound?" "Undoubtedly," returned Wiley, "but--do you happen to remember a little check for four hundred dollars? It was made out by me in favor of Death Valley Charley and they cashed it through your bank--Virginia Huff, you know--in payment for Paymaster stock. Well, if you're going to keep track of my business like that----" "Oh, no, no," exclaimed Blount, suddenly remembering the means by which he had detected Wiley's purchase of Virginia's stock, "you misunderstand me, entirely. If you want to wait a few days for the money you are welcome to put it anywhere." "Well, hold on," began Wiley. "Now maybe I'd better go to the other bank----" "Oh, no, no, no," protested Blount, "I wouldn't hear of it. I'll write you the check, this minute. On your personal note--that's good enough for me. You can put up the collateral later." "Well, let's think this over," objected Wiley cannily. "I don't like to put up that option for security. That bond and lease is worth half a million dollars and----" "Just give me your note," broke in Blount hurriedly, "and hurry up--here comes Mrs. Huff." "All right," cried Wiley, and scribbled out the note while Blount was writing the check. CHAPTER XVI A SHOW-DOWN WITH THE WIDOW