"That is another reason for accepting his invitation. I know she'll
enjoy it so here."

"I wouldn't be at all surprised," Parker replied, dryly. "She has
helped herself to the car and driver in order to aid Farrel at my
expense."

His humorous wife smiled covertly. Parker smoked contemplatively for a
quarter of an hour. Then,

"Here comes the smiling son of Nippon, John," Mrs. Parker remarked.

The potato baron entered the secluded patio and sat down beside them on
the porch. With a preliminary whistling intake of breath, he remarked
that it was a beautiful day and then proceeded, without delay, to
discuss the subject closest to his heart--the fertile stretches of the
San Gregorio valley.

Parker squirmed a trifle uneasily.

"As I explained to you this morning, Mr. Okada," he began, "our deal
has become a trifle complicated by reason of the wholly unexpected
return of Mr. Miguel Farrel."

"Very great misfortune," Okada sympathized. "Very great
disappointment."

Mrs. Parker favored him with a look of violent dislike and departed
abruptly, much to Okada's relief. Immediately he drew his chair close
to Parker's.