Vandover had often wondered at Geary's persistence in the matter, and had often asked him what he could possibly want of the block.

But Geary was very vague in his replies, generally telling Vandover that there was money in the investment if one could and would give the proper attention to pushing it.

He told Vandover that he--Vandover--was no business man, which was the lamentable truth, and would much prefer to live upon the interest of his bonds rather than to be continually annoyed by defective plumbing, complaints, and repairs.

The truth of the matter was that Geary knew that a certain immense boot and shoe concern was after the same piece of property.

The houses themselves were nothing to the boot and shoe people; they wanted the land in order to build their manufactory upon it.