“They would feel some disappointment of course—­just as you would feel sorry not to be able to bring them with you.  But no reasonable man would blame you or expect you to bear the handicap of six or seven inexperienced young fellows.  You must see that your only hope of placing them would be with some new company just starting up.  And this is not the season for young companies.  Next spring you might stand a better chance.”

“Yes, that’s all true enough,” Luck admitted, since Dewitt plainly expected some reply.  “At the same time—­”

“There is no immediate need of a decision,” Dewitt hastily completed Luck’s sentence.  “From all weather reports, this storm is going to be a long one.  I doubt very much if you could get to work for several days.  I wish you would think it over from all sides before you accept or refuse the proposition, Mr. Lindsay.  Lay the matter before your boys; tell them frankly just how things stand.  I’ll guarantee they will insist upon your accepting the position.  I know, and you know, that it will give you a better opportunity than you have had in some time.  And I am going to say candidly that I believe you need only the opportunity to make your work stand out above all the others.  That is why I sent for you this morning.  I believe you have big possibilities, and I want you with the Great Western.”

There was that instant of silence which terminates all conferences.  Then Luck rose, and Dewitt tilted back his office chair and swung it away from the desk so that he was still facing Luck.  So the two looked at each other measuringly for a moment.

“I certainly appreciate your good opinion of me, Mr. Dewitt,” Luck said.  “Whether I take the place or not, I want to thank you for offering it to me.  It all looks fine—­the chance of my life; but I can’t—­”

“No, don’t say any more.”  Dewitt raised his hand.  “You do as I suggest; tell the boys just what has passed, if you like.  Let them decide for you.”

“No, that wouldn’t be fair.  They’d decide for my interests and forget about their own.  I know that.”

“Well, let’s just wait a day or two.  You think it over.  Think what you could do with Jean Douglas, for instance.  I’ll try and get her back; I think perhaps I can.  She’s married, but I think they’ll both come if I make it worth their while.  Come and see me day after to-morrow, will you?  We’ll say four o’clock again.  Good-by.”

So Luck went away with temptation whispering in his ear.

CHAPTER NINE

LEAVE IT TO THE BUNCH

Not a word did Luck say to the Happy Family about his big opportunity.  Instead, he avoided them half guiltily, and he filled the next day and the one after that by seeing, or trying to see, the head of every motion picture company in that part of the State.  He even sent a night letter to a big company at Santa Barbara.  Always he stipulated that he must take his own cowboys with him and have a free hand in the production of Western pictures—­since he did not mean to risk having another irate author descend upon him with threats of a lawsuit.