Knowles

Defendants entered into a lease with C. P. Lolor, bearing date August 3, 1885, by the terms of which he hired and demised to them a certain lot of land in San Francisco, for the term of six months, at the monthly rent of thirty-one dollars, payable in advance on the third day of each and every month during said term. The instrument contained a clause giving to the defendants the option of purchasing the demised premises at any time during the term, by paying the sum of three thousand seven hundred dollars and all the rent accruing under the lease. The defendants had been in possession of the land, claiming to be owners thereof, for several years prior to this time, and had mortgaged it to Lolor to secure an indebtedness to him of three thousand dollars. Lolor had commenced an action to foreclose the mortgage, and while that action was pending the defendants executed to Lolor a conveyance of the lands, and at the same time took from him the aforesaid lease. After its execution they paid all the rent which accrued, according to the terms of the lease, prior to April 3, 1891. Lolor died in December, 1890, and, in March, 1891, the plaintiffs were appointed his executors. The…