Chapter III

           WhenAnnixterarrivedattheLosMuertosranchhousethatsameevening,hefoundalittlegroupalreadyassembledinthedining-room.MagnusDerrick,wearingthefrockcoatofbroadcloththathehadputonfortheoccasion,stoodwithhisbacktothefireplace.Harransatcloseathand,onelegthrownoverthearmofhischair.Presleyloungedonthesofa,incorduroysandhighlacedboots,smokingcigarettes.Brodersonleanedonhisfoldedarmsatonecornerofthediningtable,andGenslinger,editorandproprietoroftheprincipalnewspaperofthecounty,the“BonnevilleMercury,”stoodwithhishatanddrivingglovesunderhisarm,oppositeDerrick,ahalf-emptiedglassofwhiskeyandwaterinhishand.

           AsAnnixterenteredheheardGenslingerobserve:“I’llhavealeaderinthe’Mercury’to-morrowthatwillinterestyoupeople.There’ssometalkofyourranchlandsbeinggradedinvaluethiswinter.Isupposeyouwillallbuy?”

           Inaninstanttheeditor’swordshadriveteduponhimtheattentionofeverymanintheroom.Annixterbrokethemoment’ssilencethatfollowedwiththeremark:

           “Well,it’sabouttimetheygradedtheselandsoftheirs.”

           ThequestioninissueinGenslinger’sremarkwasofthemostvitalinteresttotheranchersaroundBonnevilleandGuadalajara.NeitherMagnusDerrick,Broderson,Annixter,norOstermanactuallyownedalltherancheswhichtheyworked.Asyet,thevastmajorityofthesewheatlandswerethepropertyoftheP.andS.W.