Chase only blocked the door more effectively. “You young scamp, here I’ve been turning half the stones on earth to get you married to Asher Ferry’s daughter. Do you think I’m going to have you out after dark seeking a fortune?” Marvin backed away, and his father disappeared into the night. Chapter 70. Ytterbium The engineer found his prospect down by the river, perched on a great rock which in the night looked as black as the black mica of Ytterby. “I have come to return this certificate.” “But I gave it to you.” “So you did, and nothing could have been sweeter than the manner of it, but your conscience was not satisfied. It seems to me that it ought to be satisfied, for Asher Ferry intends to do with that land exactly what your father advised. All you need worry about is my profits.” “Can’t you get rich without my consent?” “I cannot. For once the laws of a land company were drawn by a man who respected the rights of the minority.” “If you will come up here and lend me a pen, I can write on this stone.” And so by starlight the document was signed. “Now what shall we do with the profits?” “I don’t know. What do rich people do with money?” “They usually provide for their sons’ wives. How soon are you going to marry Marvin?” Jean took one last desperate look at her stars, and found enough courage to answer, “Never.” “I am sorry to hear that, and my wife will be sorry, too. Don’t you care for him?” “I’d rather not answer that question.” “Won’t you let me send him down here to plead his cause?” “No. I don’t want to see him again, and in two or three years he will forget all about me.” “Two, or three?” “Three. Ask him to come back in August, 1922, and bring his bride.” “Very well. One thing more. Have you any objection to my seeding the land over by the creek and putting a few sheep in there?” “That will be lovely, Mr. Mahan.” Chapter 71. Lutecium Chase left her there in the starlight and returned to the house, holding up the document that clinched the sale. “I’ve got it, but she declares that she will never marry my son. She requests him not to return to this place before August, 1922, when she will be glad to see him and his bride.” There was a moment’s silence, and then Dr. Rich spoke. “I’m sorry to hear this news. She has burned her bridges, and I’m afraid she’ll regret it, as the island now called Paris regretted burning its bridges against Julius Caesar.” Marvin looked steadily at the doctor, and came to a decision. “She can’t be blamed, sir, but I’m off tonight for New York.” He drew Grein’s letter from his pocket and handed it to his father, who read it with exclamations of pleasure. “Boy, I’ve been expecting something like this. Dr. Rich, I’d like you to see what a good judge thinks of this lad.”