"No, I wouldn't!" Uncle Henry protested. "I--" He quickly put his hand to his mouth, stopping it like a child caught in a lie. "I mean--yes, I wouldn't! Only we ain't found the oil yet. And personally, I don't believe there's any here in the first place!" Realizing what he had said, he caught himself again. "I mean, it may be here, but--Don't shoot yet! I'll get it in a minute!" he begged. He was agitated to the breaking point. Hardy stepped forward, "Wait. I've a suggestion to offer," he said. "Yes?" Lopez uttered the word as though he had grave doubts. "You're after money," the tall, lank neighbor said. "I'll tell you how we can make some--make a lot." "Well?" said Lopez, still far from convinced, and taking things easily. Hardy spoke more rapidly. "If the mortgage I hold on this property isn't paid by eight o'clock to-night, it becomes mine. Keep that paper here until eight o'clock, and I'll give you ten thousand dollars!" He watched the effect of his words on the Mexican. Pell spoke before the bandit. "Why, damn you--" he began, to Hardy. But the latter paid no attention to his insult. He faced Lopez, as though he were the only person in the room. "What do you say, is it a go?" "Wait a minute!" Pell cried. Lopez faced him. "Yes?" And puffed his cigarette. Pell addressed both the bandit and Jasper Hardy. "I'll make a better offer. Keep _him_ here until eight o'clock, and I'll give you twenty thousand dollars!" Lopez was considering, "H'm," he murmured, and stroked his chin. Uncle Henry saw a mess ahead. He steered right into the group, crying, "Wait a minute. I got a better idea yet!" "You?" Lopez said, as he might have addressed a moron. "Yes, this place don't belong to neither of 'em yet!" "But who does it belong to?" the Mexican wanted to know. "My nevyer," the invalid said. "And which is 'e?" "He's down in the shed--fixin'," the old man informed him. Lopez turned to Pedro. "Venustiano shall find him. Before he make trouble--you," turning to "Red," "shall show 'im where." Pedro had raised his revolver; and one look at it was enough for "Red." These bandits meant what they said; more, they meant every gesture they made. "It's all right," the foreman said. "He ain't got anything to lose anyhow. I'll show you where he is," and, followed by the sinister Venustiano, he went out. Uncle Henry moved his chair close to Lopez. "Now listen, robber--I mean, bandit. You keep both these fellers here and lend us ten thousand dollars, and we'll give you a million!" "A million!" said Lopez, his eyes big. "The first million we make out of the oil that's here!" "Uncle Henry proposed. And, serious as things were getting to be, a smile went around the group. "I should lend you ten sousand dollar?" the bandit asked. "Absolutely! Will you?" Uncle Henry had the temerity to say. "I do not lend," was the hard response. "I take." And he turned away. "But if you'll--" the old man pleaded.