Of course I had guessed what was coming. If I intended to sell at all here was my opportunity to do so--to, as Captain Jed expressed it, “block Colton's game” without sacrificing the principle for which I had fought, and make a good bit of money for myself. Another home near by could be secured, I had no doubt, and to it Mother might be safely and easily moved. Yet I hesitated to express even a qualified willingness. “You appear to be certain that I will sell,” I observed. “Isn't that taking a good deal for granted, Mr. Keene?” He smiled--in fact he smiled almost too often to please me. There is such a thing as being too cordial and good-natured; and he was so very friendly on short acquaintance. “I understand,” he said. “I have heard about you, Mr. Paine. This, however, is a different matter. We are not hogs, Mr. Paine, but business men. If our plans go through, Denboro will be grateful to us and to you.” “IF they go through? I thought you were certain of their going through.” “Certainly, certainly. There is, of course, an 'if' in all human plans, but our particular 'if' is a small one. I hope you will name your figure now, at once. Don't be afraid. We are disposed to be liberal. And, understand, this is entirely a cash transaction. You shall have the money in one hand as you sign the contract with the other. Ha! ha! What is the price to be?” But I would not name a price. I seemed to feel as unreasonably reluctant to close with the Bay Shore Development Company as I had been with Captain Jed or Colton. “Shall I make a bid?” asked Keene. “No, not yet at any rate. Tell me, this: Whose land have you already bought?” He shook his head. “That, of course,” he said, with the same gracious smile, “I can hardly tell even to you. Some of the deals are not yet closed, and, as a business man yourself, Mr. Paine, you--” “I am not a business man,” I interrupted, impatiently. “At least, not much of a one. You say there are capitalists behind your scheme. Who are they?” He laid his hand on my knee. “Why, that,” he said, “is a secret no one is supposed to know. Men--financiers such as we are proud to serve--permit their names to be known only when the corporation is ready to begin actual operations. That is natural enough. If I were to mention names--well, some of your Yankee neighbors would want to become millionaires before selling.” There was truth in this. I imagine that he guessed he had made an impression, for he went on to shout his praises of the company and the greatness of its plan. He talked and talked; in fact he talked too much. I did not like to hear him. I did not like HIM, that was the trouble. He was too smooth and voluble altogether. And he made a mistake in patting my knee. “Very well,” said I, rising from my chair; “I'll think it over.”