grant laps over the lower end of the San Gregorio. Is your father a
banker?"

"He controls the First National Bank of El Toro."

"That settles the identity of the ranch. Gonzales was mortgaged to the
First National." He smiled a trifle foolishly. "You gave me a bad ten
seconds," he explained. "I thought you meant my father's ranch at
first."

"Horrible!" She favored him with a delightful little grimace of
sympathy. "Just think of coming home and finding yourself homeless!"

"I think such a condition would make me wish that Russian had been
given time to finish what he started. By the way, I knew all of the
stockholders in the First National Bank, of El Toro. Your father is a
newcomer. He must have bought out old Dan Hayes' interest." She
nodded affirmatively. "Am I at liberty to be inquisitive--just a
little bit?" he queried.

"That depends, Sergeant. Ask your question, and if I feel at liberty
to answer it, I shall."

"Is that Japanese, Okada, a member of your party?"

"Yes; he is traveling with us. He has a land-deal on with my father."

"Ah!"

She glanced across at him with new interest.