What do you intend to do ?" "To begin with, I intend to stretch them even thinner--so thin they'll break, if that is possible." "You can't load them up with more property." "Certainly not, but I can make them drill more wells." "Offsets, eh ?" Stoner studied the map a bit doubtfully.

"You can't make 'em offset dry holes, and if they strike oil in their wells the other fellers will have to do the offsetting." "True.

I can, of course, prevent them from extending their renewals.

I can cost them a pretty penny just by forcing them to a rigid adherence to the terms of their leases and agreements and--" "What do you mean, 'offsets' ?" Mallow inquired.

"How you going to break a man by bringing in wells alongside of his property?
That'll make him rich." "Can you beat that ?" Stoner inquired.