In the middle of the afternoon of the next day the operator at Citrus
Grove spent five minutes in waking Payne. He had been paid five
dollars to perform the feat when a reply should arrive to the long
telegraph Roger had sent to his lawyer, when at dawn he and Higgins had
stumbled into the station. The reply was quite satisfactory:
"Deal closed with Southern Cypress Company. Thirty dollars an acre.
Company reliable, progressive. Glad to have live development man take
hold. Their title clear. Will see to transfer at once. Wait at
Citrus Grove for surveyor who leaves at once. Garman unknown to them.
Will look him up."
Payne turned over on his side and went to sleep, the yellow bit of
paper clenched tightly in his fist.