“Well, after your applications are passed to patent, you will have to put up $780 more for each section, or $39,000 in all. Have you provided for this additional sum?” “Why, no sir. I was going to ask you to lend it to me.” “Indeed! Well, assume that I'm that soft-headed, Bobby, and proceed to proposition Number Three.” “Well, under the law, my applications must be acted upon within six months after filing. The surveyor-general must approve or disapprove them within six months, and if he approves them--” “Which he will not” promptly interjected Dunstan. “I'll sue him and make him. Well, when the applications are sent on to the Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington for his ratification of the exchange of the lieu lands, they may be hung up there a long time--years, perhaps--” “Certainly. The land ring will see to that.” “Then, don't you see, Mr. Dunstan” said Bob, brightening, “I'll have lots of time to get that balance of $39,000 together.” “I'm so glad” said Homer Dunstan. “Then I won't have to lend you the money after all. Well, when you're an old man, Bobby, and that red head of yours is snowy white, your lands will be passed to patent and--” “But the peculiar thing about this operation, Mr. Dunstan, lies in the fact that the land ring will readily ascertain my financial condition, and that of my clients--” “In which event, my dear boy, your lands will be rushed to patent right away, you will be notified that they are waiting for you to pay the balance due on them within, thirty days, and if at the end of thirty days you do not pay that $39,000, your applications lapse automatically and your initial payment will be forfeited to the state as liquidated damages.” “I fear that is just what will happen. That is why I want to know if you are prepared to lend me $39,000 to call their bluff. I will assign you a half interest in a certain water-right which I possess, as security for the advance. My water-right is worth millions.” “It will have to be, if I am to consider your suggestion seriously. Get your fifty applications passed to patent first, however. Then see me, and I'll lend you the money you require, provided I find upon investigation that the security is ample. Is your water-right developed?” “No, sir. I've just filed on it.” Dunstan permitted himself a very thin smile. “You're your father's son, Bob. You see visions and you'll die poor. I am firmly convinced that you're honest, but as firmly convinced that you're chasing a will-o'-the-wisp--so I hold out very little hope for you in the matter of that loan.” “But my water-right is good for ten times the amount” pleaded Bob desperately, and produced T. Morgan Carey's letter to bolster up his argument. “All I need is money to develop it.” “And in the meantime it's worth ten cents. Bob, you weary me.”