“How much?” said Crane.

“You need five hundred shares.  Par is a hundred, is it not?  I will part with mine for three hundred.  First, last, and only offer.  In ten minutes the price goes up to three fifty, and fifty for each five minutes after that.”

“It’s robbery ...”  Mr. Crane spluttered, and made uncouth sounds of rage.

“Now you know how the other fellow has been feeling.  Seven minutes left....”

Four more minutes sped before the surrender came.

“Certified check,” said Mr. Linderman.  “My messenger will go to the bank for you.”

The check was drawn for a hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and Crane and Keith settled back sullenly.

“You can retain your bonds.  I believe you have about a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of them.  Glad to have you finance the mill for me.  It will, of course, go ahead under my direction,” said Linderman.  “I guess I can iron out the difficulties you gentlemen have arranged for, and there will be no receivership.  That will relieve Mr. Baines, who has a considerable contract with the company.”  Mr. Crane swore softly.

Scattergood heaved himself to his feet.  “One other leetle matter, Crane.  There’s the Plumm farm.  Kind of exercised about that, hain’t you?  Stayed up in the country a week to look after it—­while I was dickerin’ down here....  Like to buy that farm?”

There was no answer.

“Calculate to take a hint from Mr. Linderman.  That farm’s mine, and you can’t haul a log acrost it.  My price is fifteen thousand.  Bought it for two.  Price goes up hunderd dollars a minute.  Cash deal.”

That surrender was more prompt, and a second check was sent to the bank to be certified.

“G’-by, gentlemen,” said Scattergood, and Messrs. Crane and Keith took their departure in no dignified manner, but with rancor in their hearts, which there was no method of salving.

“Let’s take stock,” said Scattergood.  “Like to know jest how we come out.”

“Let’s see.  We bought the stock at an average of sixty dollars a share.  That makes a hundred and fifty thousand dollars in expenses, doesn’t it?  The five hundred shares just transferred cost thirty thousand dollars and we sold them for a hundred and fifty thousand.  Profit on that part of the deal is a hundred and twenty thousand dollars.  That made the total capital stock in the mill worth a quarter of a million of anybody’s money; cost us exactly thirty thousand dollars, didn’t it?  Nice deal....  And you cleaned up an extra thirteen thousand on your side issue.  Not bad.”

“I git five hunderd shares worth fifty thousand dollars, don’t I?  Then my thirteen.  That’s sixty-three thousand.  Then my profit on twenty-five thousand cords of pulpwood—­which is goin’ to be paid, I jedge.  That’ll be anyhow another twenty-five thousand.  Calc’late this deal’s about fixed me so’s I kin go ahead with a number of plans.  Much obleeged, Mr. Linderman.  You come in handy.”