Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/36

20 "I believe you," he agreed pleasantly. "Now the ranch; how many acres?"

"Something over thirty thousand, including mountain and timber lands. My manager, Booth Stanton, can give you such information as this. Even better than I."

"The land alone, then, is valued at close to half a million?"

"I value it at something over that."

"To the tax assessor or the press?"

"To the press," she said steadily, with no flicker of the smile he had fished for.

"Exclusive of the Little Giant mine?"

"Certainly."

"That is on a paying basis?"

"Stanton can give you the figures. It netted me last year something over twenty thousand."

"Whew!" commented Steele. "I wish I had a mine like that."

Here being no question she offered no remark. Bradford, ever watchful, gave a signal with one of his expressive thin hands and a servitor in livery appeared with the next course. For a moment conversation died as Steele ate and pondered. Then,

"You manage all of your own affairs?"

"Yes. I have, of course, capable men under me to take my orders and give expert attention to the various branches of my work. I don't pretend to know anything about mining operations, for instance."

"The queen acknowledges the limitations of humanity," he chuckled. "Well, let's get on. Next ques-