"Perhaps that sheeps-man kill Mr. Farrel," Okada suggested, hopefully.
"I hoping, for sake of Japanese people, that sheeps-man very bad luck
for Mr. Farrel."

"Well, I wouldn't care to have him for an enemy. However, I dare say
Farrel knows the man well enough and will protect himself accordingly.
By the way, Farrel is violently opposed to Japanese colonization of the
San Gregorio."

"You zink he have prejudice against Japanese people?"

"I know it, Mr. Okada, and, for that reason, and the further reason
that our deal is now definitely hung up for a year, I suggest that you
return to El Toro with me this afternoon. I am no longer master here,
but I shall be delighted to have you as my guest at the hotel in El
Toro while you are making your investigations of the property. I wish
to avoid the possibility of embarrassment to you, to Mr. Farrel, and to
my family. I am sure you understand our position, Mr. Okada."

The potato baron nodded, scowling slightly.




XV

At a point where the road, having left the valley and climbed a grade
to a mesa that gave almost an air-plane view of the San Gregorio,
Miguel Farrel looked back long and earnestly. For the first time since
entering the car, at Kay Parker's invitation, he spoke.