"This will tell you," spoke Bud, handing him a copy of the bill of sale for the ranch. "We're the new owners. You rent the place, don't you? I believe the deed says your term was up last month. Sorry to have to put you out, but business is business. Can you get ready to shift by to-morrow morning, do you think? We'll make out down in town for to-night." The man in the doorway didn't answer. He read over the paper Bud had handed him and then looked up. His expression was anything but friendly. "And I'm supposed to beat it out of here, hey?" he asked coldly. "Afraid so," answered Bud. The man suddenly stepped to one side. "Come in a minute, boys," he suggested. It was evident that his manner had undergone a change. He seemed more friendly. "You just get in?" he asked. "Yes--we were delayed on the way, or we would have gotten here sooner." "Sit down, boys." As the slightly-built man was drawing up chairs Bud cast a quick glance at Dick. "Watch out"! his look signaled. But there seemed no need for suspicion. "J. D.," as they had heard him called, appeared harmless. "I take it you boys are sensible?" he began when they were seated. "Hope so," Dick answered with a slight grin. "We've never been in any asylum that I know of." "Check! Now I'd like to talk business with you. First of all, could you use one thousand dollars?" At this surprising query Dick and Bud started. One thousand dollars! It represented a small fortune. Bud thought of the herd of cattle they had just lost and was about to reply affirmatively, when he felt, rather than saw, a cautioning look come into Dick's eyes. "That's a lot of money," declared Dick, before Bud could speak. "We could certainly use it, but you know it pays to be careful how one earns it. Robbery is a bit out of our line." "Oh, it's nothing like that--nothing like that at all," the other assured them quickly. "This thousand that I speak of can be yours for just doing me a favor." "Sounds like a high price to pay for a favor," Dick said. "But let's hear the proposition." "Sure! It's simply this: you boys let me stay on at the ranch here, for, say, six more months, and as rental I'll pay you one grand." "But certainly this place can't be worth that much to you," broke in Bud thoughtlessly. It was a very unwise remark, for it was obvious that this excessive figure was offered for something more than the mere use of the ranch. "J. D." had made the mistake of going too high in his offer, and it instantly awoke suspicion in the minds of Dick and Bud. But now that Bud had blurted out this suspicion, the possibility of being able to secretly find out why they had been offered a thousand for the place disappeared. The cards were on the table. "As to that, I'm the best judge," "J. D." said sharply. "If you want to accept, say so. If you don't--well----." "Can we have until to-morrow to think it over?" asked Dick.