"I see you've some capitalists behind you," said he, "for it will take money to build a dam and a canal. If they saw a reasonable profit without the trouble of construction, no doubt they would be willing to sell." "Put your mind at rest, Mr. Menocal; you have only me to deal with; there are no capitalists running this show yet. But the water system will be built, never fear." Menocal's eyebrows went up. "Ah, so?" he asked, softly. Then his face smoothed itself out; and Bryant realized that he had been led into a betrayal of importance. "You would do well to name a price, Mr. Bryant." "No; I propose to develop the ranch," the engineer answered, curtly. "Is the release made out? If it is, I'll be on my way." "It's too bad you refuse, too bad," Menocal said, with a lugubrious shake of his head. He called Isidro. The clerk placed a card before Bryant for his signature and gave him a check book. Then he laid the mortgage release in front of Menocal, who signed and passed it to the engineer. "You'll find it correct," the Mexican stated. "Isidro is a notary and has filled out the acknowledgment." Nevertheless, the visitor took care to read the paper and compare it with his deed before he rose. "Well, that ends my business for the afternoon," said he, "and I'll take no more of your time. You understand where I stand, Mr. Menocal." The latter gave a number of slow nods saying, "I understand, I understand. Good day, Mr. Bryant. And remember that you have an account with us and that the bank will be pleased to render you any service possible." Sleepily the banker, watching through the bank window, saw the young man lead his horse across the street and once more disappear within the courthouse. Then for some minutes he continued in somnolent contemplation of the courthouse front. At last he called: "Isidro, Isidro! Go find Joe Garcia and tell him I wish to speak with him in half an hour in my garden. Look for him at home and in the saloon, but find him wherever he is. That man who just went out now, Isidro,----" "Yes," answered Isidro. "He's one of those hard, obstinate Americans, Isidro--and his eyes, they are bad eyes, I don't like them." "Yes," Isidro concurred, who had not noticed the eyes at all. CHAPTER IV Charlie Menocal, who after his sleep had read a few chapters in a novel, went out of the shaded room where he had reposed and into the garden. There he discovered his father in talk with Joe Garcia. "What's going on?" he exclaimed. "Lost a horse, or a wife or something, Joe?" "No, Charlie; this is business," Garcia said, with a grin.