There was little interest in the sale, and what interest there was Scattergood caused by his unexpected appearance.  Nobody had imagined he would be present.  Now that he was there, nobody could imagine why.  He did not enlighten them, though he was delighted to sit in the sun on the courthouse steps, waiting for the hour of the sale, and to chat.  He loved to chat, especially if he could get off his shoes and wriggle his toes in the sunshine.  And so he sat, bare of foot, when the sheriff appeared and made his announcement of the approaching sale.  Scattergood chatted on, apparently not interested.

“All the dams, booms, cribbings, improvements, and property of the Coldriver Dam and Boom Company ...” the sheriff read.

“Including contracts and charter,” amended Scattergood.

“Including contracts and charter,” agreed the sheriff, and Scattergood continued his chat.

Bidding began.  It was not brisk or exciting.  Five thousand was the first offer, from a young man appertaining to Crane.  Keith’s young man raised him five hundred.  Back and forth they tossed it, carrying on the pretense, until Keith’s young man reached the sum of ten thousand six hundred dollars....  A silence followed.

“Ten thousand six hundred I’m offered,” said the sheriff, loudly, and repeated it.  He had been a licensed auctioneer in his day.  “Do I hear seven hundred?  Seven hundred ...  Six fifty ...”  A portentous pause.  “Going at ten thousand six hundred, once.  Going at ten thousand six hundred, twice ...”

“Ten thousand seven hunderd,” said Scattergood, casually.

Crane’s young man looked at Keith’s young man in a panic.  They had only the sum they had bid upon them....  Cash with bid were the terms of sale.  Scattergood, out of the corner of his eye, saw them rush together and confer frenziedly.  His eye glinted.

“Ten thousand eight hundred,” Crane’s youth bid, desperately.

“Cash with bid is terms of sale,” said Scattergood.  “I object to listenin’ to that bid without the young man perduces.”  He smiled at the sheriff.

“Mr. Baines is right,” said the sheriff.  “Protect your bid with the cash or I cannot receive it.”

“Make him protect his bid!” shouted Crane’s young man.

“Certain,” said Scattergood, approaching the sheriff and drawing a huge roll of bills from his sagging trousers pocket.  “Calc’late you’ll find her there, Mr. Sheriff, and some besides.  Make your change and gimme back the rest.”

“I’m waitin’ on you, young feller,” said the sheriff, eying the young men....  “Ten thousand seven hundred I hear.  Going at ten thousand seven hundred—­once....  Twice....  Three times!...  Sold to Mr. Baines for ten thousand seven hundred dollars....”