"That would seem to be your best course, Mr. Farrel."

"When does the redemption period expire?"

Parker squirmed slightly.

"That is a difficult question to answer, Mr. Farrel. It seems your
father was something of a lawyer--"

"Yes; he graduated in law. Why, nobody ever knew, for he never had the
slightest intention of practising it. I believe it must have been
because my grandfather, Michael Joseph I, had an idea that, since his
son was a gentleman, he ought to have a college degree and the right to
follow some genteel profession in case of disaster."

"Your father evidently kept abreast of the law," Parker laughed.
"Before entering suit for foreclosure, I notified him by registered
mail that the mortgage would not be renewed and made formal demand upon
him for payment in full. When he received the notice from the El Toro
postmaster to call for that registered letter, he must have suspected
its contents, for he immediately deeded the ranch to you and then
called for the registered letter."

Farrel began to chuckle.

"Good old dad!" he cried. "Put over a dirty Irish trick on you to gain
time!"

"He did. I do not blame him for it. I would have done the same thing
myself under the same circumstances." And Parker had the grace to join