conduct of affairs than he would have acknowledged. Such people make
mistakes, but they also make friends; occasionally they read character
wrong, but they inspire loyalty, and big institutions are founded upon
friendship and loyalty as well as upon stability and fair dealing.

Roswell had liked Gray upon their first meeting, and that liking
had deepened. Owing to that fact, he had neglected to secure a
report upon him, assuring himself that there was always time for
such formalities. He was cordial to-day when Gray strode into his
office bringing Gus Briskow with him.

The banker listened with interest to what he was told, then he
studied the map that Briskow spread upon his desk showing the
location of his own and other near-by wells.

"That looks like a sure thing," Roswell said, finally. "As sure as
anything in oil can be. What is on your mind?"

"I'd like to get the opinion of the bank's oil expert," Gray told
him.

This was a matter easily disposed of; the expert was summoned and
he rendered a prompt opinion. He knew the property; he considered
it a cheap lease at a thousand dollars an acre. It was proven
stuff and within thirty days it would probably treble in value.
When he had gone, the banker smiled.

"Well, Gray," said he, "I knew you'd land something good. You're a
hustler. You'll make a fortune out of that land."