Hardy was still skeptical. "You know there's oil on this ranch?"
"I 'ave know so for a long time."
"On the level?" said Pell, eagerly.
"'Way down below," laughed Lopez, delighted at his ability to pun in
English, and making a motion with one hand toward the nether regions.
"You mean it?" Pell continued.
A dark scowl came over the face of Lopez. "Should you doubt my word?" he
inquired.
"Certainly not," Pell was quick to satisfy him. "Only why didn't you say so
before?"
"Oil not interests me," the bandit explained.
"But since to you gentlemen it seem so excitable--I 'ave it."
"Yes?" from Hardy.
"Ze little paper. You both want it. _Bueno!_ You shall both 'ave ze chance.
We will, 'ow you say, 'old ze little hauction."
"Auction?" Pell repeated.
"'E who bids ze 'ighest," Lopez elucidated, "shall 'ave ze little paper and
shall come wiz me while I show 'im where ze oil she is 'iding." He flicked
the ashes of his cigarette upon the floor, and sat on the corner of the
table, one foot dangling in the air.
"Gad!" Pell let out. His hands went together, his jaw set. Things were
coming out beautifully.
Lopez went on: "While 'e who does not bid ze 'ighest shall stay 'ere wiz
Pedro until eight o'clock to-night.
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