The fourth simply hadn't the capital
to hold out until returns came in. It's as good a small-ranch
proposition as they could find. If I didn't think so, I wouldn't be in
it for a minute."
"How about that stream?"
"Nobody said the stream was a natural one. And the water exists, no
matter where it comes from. You can't impress an Eastern farmer with a
pump proposition: that's a matter of education. They come to see its
value after they've tried it."
"But your--".
"I told you I didn't like the methods. I won't have anything to do with
the dirty work, and Oldham knows it."
"Why all the bluff, then?" asked Bob.
"There are thousands of real estate firms in Los Angeles trying to sell
millions of acres," said Selwyn, "and this is about the only concern
that succeeds in colonizing on a large scale. Oldham developed this
system, and it seems to work."
"The law'll get him some day."
"I think not," replied Selwyn. "You may find him close to the edge of
the law, but he never steps over. He's a mighty bright business man, and
he's made a heap of money."
When nearing the Arcade depot, Oldham himself stepped forward.
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