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"It concerns a little timber deal between me and Mr. Jones. I've been investigating the records, and it seems, Abner, that you have to sign the deed before I can get title to some timber on one of Mr. Jones's farm."

"What have I got to sign it for?" cried Abner in astonishment.

"Because your grandfather, old Judge Coltrane, owned it years ago. After his death it was sold for taxes, but your mother, being of unsound mind, held a right of redemption, the statutes did not run against her during her life. When she died you were a minor heir, so the limitation did not operate against you. You still hold a right of redemption at any time you see fit to redeem. That's why you have to sign the deed to conclude the sale."

By this time the trustee was staring at the engineer.

"Look here, is that so about any of old Judge Coltrane's land?"

"I suppose so."

"Then, holy smokes, Abner, if that is so, you own nearly all the north end of the county. Why, I shouldn't be surprised if you wasn't the richest man in Lanesburg to-day."

"Where is it all?" cried Abner, looking about as if he expected his acres to appear in the magnate's office.

"Look here," interrupted Railroad Jones, "when Lydy Coltrane married Linsey Teeftaller, didn't the time limit begin to run against her then? Her husband wasn't crazy."

"No, Judge Coltrane left his will to prevent Linsey Teeftallow from having any control over the property."

"What can I do to get this property?" inquired Abner in a maze.

Mr. Ditmas laughed. "All you have to do is sign my deed and I'll pay you eight hundred dollars now. I think your equity against my timber is worth about that."

"I take you!" cried Abner, shaken by such a sum.

"You—you better see the place first," advised Sandage in an unsteady voice