"Twenty-four minutes to
twelve," he announced.
"You are into it, too!"
Murchison smiled. "Look at your own watch," he suggested. "What time
have you got?"
Cameron drew out his timepiece and stared at it blankly. "He laid his
watch on the table between us," he said in a bewildered tone, "and not
until the hands reached twelve were the papers signed and the money
paid."
"What do you mean?" asked Hedin. "The papers signed, and the money
paid?"
"Why Orcutt, president of the Eureka Paper Company, bought the land
after McNabb's options expired. Wentworth is his representative."
"But McNabb's options have not expired," insisted Hedin. "His payment
has been tendered in the presence of a witness before the time of their
expiration. Any sale or contract entered into with Orcutt or anyone
else concerning title to these lands is, of course, void."
Cameron continued to stare at his watch. "I do not understand it," he
muttered.
"I think I do," offered Hedin. "Was it Orcutt's watch you consulted?"
"Yes, he laid it on the table, and we watched the hands mark off the
time."
"And you were an hour fast! Orcutt carried Terrace City time, which is
an hour faster than standard. It is the so called daylight saving plan
adopted by many cities and villages in the United States by act of
council. All that, of course, has no bearing on McNabb's options, so
there is nothing for you to do but accept payment and return Orcutt his
money.
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