In Dr. Polly Phelps's day a mineral spring would have been of small value compared to what it would be worth now. Jud Spink, of course, had known something about the old doctor's using in his practise the water from somewhere among the rocks. On the lookout for every chance to make money in these days, the owner of "Stonehedge Bitters" and "Diamond Grits--the Breakfast of the Million" had determined to get hold of Hillcrest and put the mineral water on the market--if so be the spring was to be discovered. Too penurious to take any risk, however, Spink had wished to be sure that the mineral spring was there, and of its value, before he risked his good money in the purchase of the property. The question now was: Had he satisfied himself as to these facts? Had he found the mineral spring quite by chance, and was he not still in doubt as to the wisdom of buying Hillcrest? It would seem, by his trying to get at the old doctor's papers, that Spink wished to assure himself further before he went ahead with his scheme. "We'll put a spoke in his wheel--that's sure," said Harris, as he bade the two girls good-bye that Monday morning, while Lucas and the restive ponies waited for him. In two hours he was back at the farmhouse. The ponies stopped at the door all of a lather, and both Harris and Lucas looked desperately excited. Tom Castle, as well as the Bray girls, ran out to see what was the matter. "He's off!" shouted Lucas Pritchett. "He's goin' to beat ye to it!" "What _are_ you talking about, Lucas?" demanded 'Phemie. "Where does your aunt live, Miss Lyddy?" asked the young chemist. "Not at Easthampton?" "No. At Hambleton. She is at home now----" "And that Spink just bought a ticket for Hambleton, and has taken the train for that particular burg," declared Harris, with emphasis. "If I'd only been sure of your Aunt Jane's address I would have gone with him." "Do you really think he's gone to try to buy the farm of her?" questioned Lyddy. "I most certainly do. He couldn't have made connections easily had he started yesterday after you drove him away from Hillcrest. But he's after the farm." "And she'll sell it! she'll sell it!" wailed 'Phemie. "Perhaps not," ventured Lyddy, but her lips were white. "He can get an option. That's enough," urged Harris. "We've got to head him off." "How?" cried the older girl, clasping her hands. "Jumping horse chestnuts!" ejaculated Tom Castle. "It's a cinch! It's easy. You can beat that fellow to Hambleton by way of Adams----" "But there's no other train that connects at the junction till afternoon," objected Lucas. "Aw, poof!" exclaimed Tom. "Haven't we got the old buzz-wagon right here? I'll run and see father. He'll let me take it. We'll go over the hill and down to Adams, and take the east road to Hambleton. Why, say! that Spink man won't beat us much." "It's a great scheme, Tommy!" shouted Harris Colesworth "Go ahead. Tell your father I can run the car, if you can't."