In five minutes the Colonel was astride his best horse and galloping toward the village. He dismounted in front of the real estate office, hitched his horse, stood still a moment to cool down and to brush off the appearance of hurry and excitement, and then entered. He seated himself leisurely and began exchanging banter with the loungers in the office. Presently Mr. Winklereid, the real estate dealer, spoke to him: “Here’s Mr. Hammersley, who has just bought the Coyote Mine. I hope he may make a million out of it. And this man,” continued Winklereid, waving his hand toward Colonel Lathrop, “can make more money out of desert land and river water than anyone else in the state can make out of gold-mining.” “All joking aside,” replied Colonel Lathrop, “irrigation is a dead sure thing when compared with gold-mining, which is scarcely better than a lottery.” “The Colonel,” pursued Mr. Winklereid, “is the father of irrigation in this state. For that reason, among others, his name is being pressed upon Governor Brown for appointment to the United States Senate, to succeed Senator Smith, who died the other day.” The Colonel did not want to talk politics. After wishing Mr. Hammersley success, he said:-- “Now, Winklereid, watch out for a little place for me, near the village. I want a place where a man of seventy-five can spend his remaining days in ease and comfort.” “I’ve got it now,” replied Winklereid. “The very thing, snug and tidy, in good repair, right in the village, convenient to everything.” “Hold it for me till we can look at it. I’m in a hurry to-night.” And the Colonel seemed on the point of leaving. “You’d better take me up on that Dead Open and Shut bargain, Colonel. It’s worth more to you than anyone else.” “Haven’t I enough invested in desert rocks already?” asked the Colonel. “Besides,” he continued, “Wycliff is my mining partner. I want him to share my chances of making a dollar at mining. But for his bravery I might be poor to-day. How soon do you want your money?” “Pay me any sum you please to-night, and I’ll give you a bond for a deed before you leave the office.” “Here’s five hundred dollars I took in for cattle to-day. I’ll pay you the rest in thirty days. Is that satisfactory?” “Perfectly.” Half an hour later the Colonel was galloping toward home with the precious bond in his pocket. CHAPTER XIV. Sheriff Coggswell’s family apartments were in the front part of the jail building, and here he entertained his old friend, Wycliff, until the notice came from Congressman Baldwin that he made no charge against him. Wycliff then thanked the Sheriff and his family, and walked out upon the streets of Elmfield, a free man. At the gateway of the jail-grounds he was met by a messenger from Papyrus bearing a telegram from Colonel Lathrop:-- “Rich vein struck at the Rattlesnake. Syndicate offers one million for mine. Full particulars by letter.”