“Your boy brought me. He’s all right. He knows a thing or two that my chief chemist ain’t onto yet.” “Asher, it warms the cockles of my heart to hear you praise that cub.” “Chase, this is great. If I tell you a little secret, I know you’ll keep your mouth shut. I’m on my way to look over a big piece of land. They said I could never get control of that land, and they’ll call me a land-hog when I do get it. But I’m likely to get it pretty soon now, for about three millions. I’d pay four rather than lose it.” “You won’t have to.” “How do you know? These lawyers get rich off me.” “Mine won’t. I’m going to get rich off you myself.” “Are you behind this deal?” “I am. Your Mr. Brinkerhoff failed, but my boy didn’t. I have nearly all the rest of the stock. When I get a hundred more, I’ll trouble you for three millions.” Silence. “Don’t think I’m out to bleed you, Asher. In ten years you’ll make that land worth ten millions, and I have a couple of little presents to help you do it. You’ll be wanting explosives, and I’m going to hand you fifty thousand pounds of the best. You’ll be wanting a coaling station, and I’ve got one for you. You may be wanting rock for your electric furnaces, and I was going to give you this island, but I can’t get it.” A moccasined step at the door of the tent. “Supper is ready.” “Miss Rich, this is Mr. Asher Ferry.” “Mr. Ferry, I’m glad to see you. But I heard what Mr. Mahan said to you just now about this island. That was a whopper.” “Asher, you can’t have it. She refused ten thousand for it.” “Well, Chase, I’m glad there’s somebody you can’t twist round your finger.” Chapter 69. Thulium The last few hours had been full of surprises to Asher Ferry, but he had adjusted himself to them with the promptness that made him what he was, a great manufacturer. At supper he was destined to new surprise. He discovered Ambrose Rich, a professor who seemed to understand farming. It was a much greater shock to Asher than the discovery of a friend in Chase Mahan. He was curious to press the matter farther, and see on how large a scale the old fellow could conceive of handling earth. “I want to wash the dishes,” said Asher. “I want to wipe them,” said Ambrose. “I want to put them away,” said Chase. “I’d like to see you do it,” said Jean. She sat down on the woodbox, and Marvin joined her. The manufacturer did the silver and glasses in silence. Then he carefully picked up a piece of Worcester Royal. “Professor, if you had a tract of land ’most as big as Rhode Island, what would you do?” “I’d imitate Prospero.” “Who was he?” “An Italian duke with an only daughter. He commanded the air and the lightning, but he loved his daughter so much that he resigned his power.” “Professor, I never heard of him.” The doctor handed the piece of china to Chase Mahan, who put it on the shelf and joined the conversation.