to me."

"Anything else?"

"Thus endeth the first lesson, Miguel. At that it's only a vague
suspicion. Get out of my way, boy. I'm going out to build a dam and
you're not ready to stop me--yet."

"Bill, I'm serious about this. I want you to cease operations."

Bill Conway turned upon him almost angrily. "What for?" he demanded.

"I own the Rancho Palomar. I forbid it. I have a good and sufficient
reason."

"But, son, I can finance the confounded dam. I have it financed
already."

"So have I--if I cared to accept favors."

Bill Conway approached and took his young friend by each shoulder.
"Son," he pleaded, "please let me build this dam. I was never so plumb
interested in any job before. I'll take a chance. I know what I'm
going to do and how I'm going to do it, and you aren't going to be
obligated the least little bit. Isn't John Parker stuck for it all, in
the long run? Why, I've got that _hombre_ by the short hair."

"I know, but long before you can collect from him you'll be financially
embarrassed."