Part 25 (1/2)
”_Si._ Is it so agree?”
”I'm for that,” Pell said.
”But I--” Hardy began.
”I bid one hundred thousand dollars,” Pell quickly cried.
”I'll take it to the courts,” Hardy contended.
”Take what to the courts?” Pell wanted to know.
”I was detained by force,” Hardy said.
”As long as I get there by eight, what difference does that make?” Pell asked.
But Lopez broke in: ”One hundred sousand I am offer!” They mustn't s.h.i.+llyshally this way. He wanted to keep things going.
”I'll make it one hundred and one!” Hardy cried.
Without a moment's hesitation, Pell jerked it up to a hundred and ten.
”A hundred and eleven!” Hardy pushed ahead.
”A hundred and twenty-five!” Pell yelled. ”And what do you know about that?”
Hardy was by no means finished. ”A hundred and thirty!” he made it.
Uncle Henry couldn't stand it. While they raised each other's bids, he shot in between them and managed to say above the din, ”And me--gettin' skinned not only out of my ten thousand, but a million dollars besides!”
”A hundred and fifty!” Pell was saying.
”A hundred and fifty-one!” the cautious Hardy added.
The face of Lopez was a study; but they were so excited that they did not look at him. Angela rushed to her father and clasped his arm when she heard his last raise. ”That's right, father. Don't let him get it!”
”Don't worry,” he rea.s.sured her, and patted her little hand, so warm on his arm. He turned to Pell. ”You city fellers needn't think you can come down here and put it all over us.”
”Nevertheless,” said Morgan Pell, ”I'll just bid a hundred and seventy-five thousand.”
”Then I'll make it a hundred and eighty!” his antagonist stated.
Quick as a flash, ”A hundred and ninety,” Pell said.
”Two hundred, by darn!” yelled Hardy, furious now.
”Two hundred and--” Pell began; when Lopez, to their amazement, rapped on the table with his gun, as though he were an auctioneer and this his gavel, ”Senors!” he shouted. ”It is enough!”
Everyone was dumbfounded, ”Enough?” Hardy inquired, unbelieving.
”Too much!” Lopez explained.