Page:Melville Davisson Post--The Man of Last Resort.djvu/278

254 “Are there judgments of record against you?” inquired Mason.

“Not yet,” replied Alshire, “but Farras is preparing to sue on the notes and rush the sale through. Can I stop him; can I hold the sale off?” There was anxiety in the grazier's voice.

Randolph Mason began to walk to and fro across the room with an unsteady nervous stride.

“Easy,” he muttered, “easy as learning to lie.” Then he stopped by the table and looked flown sharply at the great Alshire.

“Have you two friends,” he asked, “non-residents of your State, whom you can trust?”

“Yes,” responded the grazier, “Mr. Van Meter here in New York, and Morgan Gaston now in Ohio, they will both stand by me.”

“Then,” said Mason, “listen to me, and do as I advise, and the sale of your property will be as far distant years from to-day as it seems this afternoon. First make an oil lease for a long term, say thirty years, to your non-resident friend of Ohio, giving him all the oil privileges, but, for your own protection in case