"Wh--What?" stammered poor Mr. Kimball, for the demand of Mr. Ranquist came like a stab in the back. "Why-why, I thought--" "Never mind what you thought," interrupted Mr. Ranquist. "The question is, have you the cash to pay off this mortgage with?" and his tone held a threat. "N-no, sir--I can't say--wa'al, I ain't got it, 'n' thet's th'--" "Oh, yes, he has it all right," broke in Mr. Vanter. "Here is the money!" He threw a roll of crisp bills on the table. "I think you'll find the amount correct," he went on, turning to Mr. Ranquist, who showed every sign of deep chagrin. "I rather guess I've beaten you at your own game," proceeded the surveyor. "I was prepared for this little move on your part. Now, if you will kindly cancel the mortgage I guess that will be about all to-day." There was nothing for Mr. Ranquist to do, but accept the offer, and take the money. He would much have preferred foreclosing the mortgage, since then he would be in possession of the farm and the valuable salt mine. "How--how's this?" began Mr. Kimball brokenly. "I didn't know--" "That's enough, now," said Mr. Vanter kindly. "I'm attending to this for you. The mine on your land will be worked by the Pipe Line Salt Company, and not by the Universal," he said to Mr. Ranquist. "Still, if you care to make us an offer, we may be willing to consider it. And, now, let me bid you good day." Silently receipting for the money, and cancelling the mortgage, Mr. Ranquist, followed by Mr. Dudley and the lawyer, left the room, neither one speaking. "Hurrah!" cried Adrian, as the door closed on the plotters, "we beat 'em, Roger. Hurrah!" "And it's all due to Roger, here," said Mr. Vanter as he shook hands heartily with the boy. "If he hadn't discovered the white crystals, and called to see me, these men would now be in possession of the salt mine. As it is, Mr. Kimball still owns it." "But ye paid th' mortgage," insisted the farmer, to whom the whole transaction was still much of a mystery. "That entitles ye t' th' farm, don't it?" "You may look upon that as a loan from me," said Mr. Vanter. "A sort of investment. But we are all still pretty much in the dark. Suppose there is salt in such a small quantity that it will not pay to mine it?" This idea made every one feel quite anxious. "We'll soon find out, however," went on the surveyor, "for I'm going to sink a shaft to-morrow. Until then we shall have to be patient." CHAPTER XXIV DIGGING FOR SALT