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"Yes, that's a good idea," agreed Ditmas. "We'll look at it and then go over my figures together."

"An' I own the whole north en' of the county!" cried Abner in a daze. "Who's got it now?"

"Oh, different persons," answered the trustee cheerfully, "but their claims ain't good."

Railroad Jones spoke up from where he had been sitting motionless at his table during this colloquy.

"It may happen, Abner, that I own one or two little pieces of yore land, but of course we can make any little adjustment that's right."

Abner was further amazed that he should have a claim on any of the magnate's land, but Mr. Jones said this so amiably that the youth nodded, "Sure, sure, I want to do what's right. Now, Mr. Ditmas, if we could look at that tract you're offering me eight hundred dollars for . . ."

The three men turned out into the cheerful sunshine, when, coming around the court square, the trustee saw his motor driven by Beatrice Belle. He immediately shouted to his daughter in his big out-of-doors voice and waved his hat at her. Beatrice had a companion with her, and as the two girls drove up they shot lively glances at Abner. When Beatrice Belle recognized the youth, she flung up her hands and almost lost control of the machine.

"If it ain't Abner Teeftaller!" she cried in amazement.

"Beatrice!" laughed the other girl, catching the wheel. "Don't smash me up just because you see a man!"

The two girls, by jointly kicking the clutch and the brake, stopped the car. Beatrice slammed open the door, leaped out, rushed up to Abner, seized him around the neck and kissed him.

"How glad I am to see you!" she cried. "Goodness, I didn't know it was you! Abner, how you have growed! When did you come back? Here, let me introduce you to Adelaide Jones. Adelaide, this is Abner Teeftaller, the boy I've told you so much about!"

Miss Jones leaned forward with a fluttery movement.