"Oh, no; he offers four thousand, half cash."

"And how much for the buildings?"

"Four thousand for everything, it's not enough but there are not many
buyers in this neighbourhood."

"Say, there's nothing rash about that feller. When do you close?"

"Must close to-morrow night. He has a chance of another place."

"Oh, he has, eh? Big rush on, eh? Well, don't you close until I see you
some time to-morrow, partner."

Mr. Sleighter scented another salvage deal, his keen eyes gleamed a bit,
the firm lips were pressed a little more closely together.

"And say," he said, turning back, "I don't wonder you can't do business.
I couldn't do anything myself with a missis like yours. I couldn't
get any smooth work over with her lookin' at me like that, durned if I
could. Well, good-night; see you to-morrow."

Mr. Sleighter spent the early hours of the following day among the
farmers with whom his salvage deal had brought him into contact. The
wrecker's instinct was strong in him, and besides he regarded with
abhorrence the tactics of Mr. Martin and welcomed an opportunity to beat
that gentleman at his own game. He could easily outbid the Martin offer
and still buy the farm at a low price. As a result of his inquiries he
had made up his mind that the land was worth at the very least eighty