As to my own property, when I am there again, if I do go,--I will look over the ground myself and have Mr.MacFarlane go with me and then I can decide." Breen knitted his brows.

It was not the answer he had expected.

In fact, he was very much astonished both at the reply and the way in which it was given.

He began to be sorry he had raised the question at all.

He would gladly have helped Jack in getting a good price for his property, provided it did not interfere with his own plans, but to educate him up to the position of an obstructionist, was quite another matter.
"Well, think it over," he replied in a tone that was meant to show his entire indifference to the whole affair,--"and some time when you are in town drop in again.