Consequently
he was vastly relieved when the mail arrived and Elizabeth brought the
familiar big envelope out to him, with its typewritten address.
"Looks like a business letter, doesn't it?" she asked Vance.
"More or less," said Vance, covering a yawn of excitement.
"But how on earth could any business--it's postmarked from Craterville."
"Somebody may have heard about his prospects; they're starting early to
separate him from his money."
"Vance, how much talking did you do in Craterville?"
It was hard to meet her keen old eyes.
"Too much, I'm afraid," he said frankly. "You see, I've felt rather
touchy about the thing. I want people to know that you and I have agreed
on making Terry the heir to the ranch. I don't want anyone to suspect
that we differed. I suppose I talked too much about the birthday plans."
She sighed with vexation and weighed the letter in her hand.
"I've half a mind to open it."
His heartbeat fluttered and paused.
"Go ahead," he urged, with well-assured carelessness.
She shook down the contents of the envelope preparatory to opening it.
"It's nothing but printed stuff, Vance.
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