XI

"I am convinced," said Miguel Farrel, as he followed his guests out of
the dining-room onto the veranda, "that the Parkers' invasion of my
home is something in the nature of a mixed misfortune. I begin to feel
that my cloud has a silver lining."

"Of all the young men I have ever met, you can say the nicest things,"
Mrs. Parker declared. "I don't think you mean that last remark the
least bit, but still I'm silly enough to like to hear you say it. Do
sit down here awhile, Mr. Farrel, and tell us all about yourself and
family."

"At the risk of appearing discourteous, Mrs. Parker, I shall have to
ask you to excuse me this morning. I have a living to make. It is now
a quarter past nine, and I should have been on the job at seven."

"But you only got home from the army last night," Kay pleaded. "You
owe yourself a little rest, do you not?"

"Not a minute. I must not owe anything I cannot afford. I have
approximately seven months in which to raise approximately a quarter of
a million dollars. Since I am without assets, I have no credit;
consequently, I must work for that money. From to-day I am Little
Mike, the Hustler."

"What's your program, Mr. Farrel?" Parker inquired, with interest.

"I should be grateful for an interview with you, sir, if you can spare
the time. Later, I shall ride out over the ranch and make an inventory