"You're still doing the Sister Anne toward Washington," said Baker, pleasantly. "This came over the 'phone. I wired Mr. Orde in your name, asking what prospects there were for a speedy settlement. There's what he says!" He flipped a piece of scratch paper over to Welton. "Deadlock," read the latter slowly. "No immediate prospect. Will hasten matters through regular channels. Signed, Orde." "Mr. Orde is familiar with the whole situation?" asked Baker. "He is." "Well, there's what he thinks about it even there. You'd better see to that fire protection. It's going to be a dry year." "What's all your interest in this, anyway?" asked Bob. Baker did not answer, but looked inquiringly toward Welton. "Our interests are obviously his," said Welton. "We're the only two business propositions in this country. And if one of those two fail, how's the other to scratch along?" "Correct, as far as you go," said Baker, who had listened attentively. "Now, I'm no tight wad, and I'll give you another, gratis. It's strictly under your hats, though. If you fellows bust, how do you think I could raise money to do business up here at all? It would hoodoo the country." Silence fell on the three, while the fire leaped and fell and crackled. Welton's face showed still a trace of stubbornness. Suddenly Baker leaned forward, all his customary fresh spirits shining in his face. "Don't like to take his na'ty medicine?" said he. "Well, now, I'll tell you. I know Plant mighty well. He eats out of my hand. He just loves me as a father. If I should go to him and say; 'Plant, my agile sylph, these people are my friends. Give them their nice little permit and let them run away and play,' why, he'd do it in a minute." Baker rolled his eyes drolly at Welton. "Can this be the shadow of doubt! You disbelieve my power?" He leaned forward and tapped Welton's knee. His voice became grave: "I'll tell you what I'll do. _I'll bet you a thousand dollars I can get your permit for you!"_ The two men looked steadily into each other's eyes. At last Welton drew a deep sigh. "I'll go you," said he. Baker laughed gleefully. "It's a cinch," said he. "Now, honest, don't you think so? Do you give up? Will you give me a check now?" "I'll give you a check, and you can hunt up a good stakeholder," said Welton. "Shall I make it out to Plant?" he inquired sarcastically. "Make the check out to me," said Baker. "I'll just let Plant hold the stakes and decide the bet." He rose. "Bring out the fiery, untamed steed!" he cried. "I must away!" "Not to-night?" cried Bob in astonishment. "Plant's in his upper camp," said Baker, "and it's only five miles by trail. There's still a moon." "But why this haste?" "Well," said Baker, spreading his sturdy legs apart and surveying first one and then the other. "To tell you the truth, our old friend Plant is getting hostile about these prods from Washington, and he intimated he'd better hear from me before midnight to-day."