The keeper was inside his lantern story, looking out over the sea somewhatlonesome. Craney attacked the subject like a drummer selling a billof goods, but the keeper didn't seem to comprehend. "Why," saysCraney, "you see, these people have a sort of mysterious reverencefor you. Maybe you have an idea of the reason." The keeper exclaimed itwas probable that the peasantry were not unaware of his rank.

"Now, your ancestors employed agents, didn't they? Yes. Maybe theygot about half the proceeds and the agents stole the rest." Thekeeper looked surprised, but thought that was probable too.

"Exactly. Now, we're offering, as a business proposition, to collecton the same antique terms, only we give you an itemized account thistime. What do you say?"

"Senor Craney," exclaimed the keeper sluggyly, "are you asking me ifI accept the acknowledgment of my rights? I do not understand abusiness proposition. I do not understand how the peasants havearrived suddenly, as you state, at this conviction of theirobligations."

"Just so," says Craney. "That comes of having a capable agent. Italked to them and they saw reason. Fact is, though, the idea seemsto have been growing on them for some decades."