"That is true, Mr. Stranleigh, but, you see, I have no power, no authority, to give this ranch as security; it belongs to my father."
"True; but you are not nearly so competent a business woman as you would have me believe. You will receive from Ricketts your father's promissory note. That you will hand to me, then I shall be your debtor for two thousand dollars. Those two thousand dollars I shall pay as soon as I get some money from New York, and your father will become my debtor for five thousand dollars. All perfectly simple, you see. In the first instance I trust you for three thousand dollars, and in the second instance you trust me for two thousand dollars. After I have paid you the two thousand dollars, I hold the note, and can sell you up whenever I please. I give you my word I won't do that, though even if I did you would be no worse off than you are now."
"Very well, Mr. Stranleigh; I will take the money."
It was several days later when Miss Armstrong returned from Bleachers. Her first interest was to satisfy herself of the patient's progress. He had been getting on well.
"You are an admirable physician, Miss Armstrong," he said. "Now let me know whether you are equally capable as a financier."
"I have failed completely," she answered, dejectedly. "Mr. Ricketts has refused the money."
"Did you take the other lawyer with you?"
"He said Ricketts had no right to refuse, but a different question has arisen. The guide who accompanied you to the ranch brought back news of the shooting. Ricketts guessed at once why you were shot at, and the sheriff has signed an affidavit, or some such instrument, to show that his life, and his men's lives, are in danger if they go to seize the property, so this complication has been overcome by some order from the legislature, and the personal seizure is waived. The sale is announced to take place in Bleachers two weeks from to-day. Mr. Timmins--that is the other lawyer--fears that Ricketts is within his rights in refusing the money at this stage."
"This is all very interesting, Miss Armstrong, but we have a fortnight to turn round in."
"I am delighted, for now I shall have the pleasure of trying a fall with the estimable Mr. Ricketts."