"I'll raise their offer a hundred dollars," said Harris, quickly. "My name's Colesworth. My father and I are well known here and in Easthampton. We are amply able to pay you cash for the place."
"Well, now," observed Aunt Jane, with satisfaction, while the girls stared at the young fellow in wonder, "you are talking business. A hundred dollars more is not to be sneezed at----"
"We'll raise the young man's bid another hundred, Mrs. Hammond," interposed the lawyer, eagerly. "But you must sign the agreement----"
"Raise you another hundred," said Harris.
The lawyer looked at his client for instructions. Professor Spink's face was of an apoplectic hue and his eyes fairly snapped.
"No, no!" he shouted, pounding one fat fist into his other hand. "I know this smooth swindler. He did me once before just this way. He sha'n't do it now. He's got some inside information about that farm. It's all off! I wouldn't buy the old place now at any price!"
He grabbed his hat and rushed for the door. The little lawyer followed, seized his coattails, and tried to drag him back; but Professor Spink was the heavier, and he steamed out into the hall, towing the lawyer, opened the door, and finally dashed down the steps. He and his legal adviser disappeared from sight.
"Well, young man," said Mrs. Hammond, calmly, "I expect you know what you have done? You've spoiled that sale for me; I may hold you to your offer."
"If you want to, I shall not worry," laughed Harris, sitting down. "But let us tell you all about it, Mrs. Hammond, and then I believe you will think twice before you sell Hillcrest at _any_ price."
Right in that boarding-house parlor was laid the foundation of the now very wealthy mineral water concern known as "The Hillcrest Company, Limited." But, of course, it was months before the concern was launched and the wonderfully curative waters of Hillcrest Spring were put upon the market.
For once the fact was established that the mineral spring was there among the rocks at the back of the farm, it was only a matter of searching for it.
The spring was finally located in the very wildest part of the farm--in a deep thicket, where the cattle, or other animals, never went to drink. So the spring was thickly overgrown.