ly poor man, just getting
a start in my profession, and with a young and socially ambitious
wife!"

"But--your wife--er, she's going to--to have money some day, isn't
she?"

"Very true. But the grim reaper has a little work to do first. And on
occasions like this he's always deucedly deliberate, you know.
Meantime, we're skating close to the edge--for New Yorkers."

"Well, we may be able to beat Ketchim. Now, my father and Uncle
John--"

"Oh, shoot your father and Uncle John!" snapped Reed impatiently.

The conductor opened the door and bawled a cryptical announcement.

"This is the place," said Reed, starting up and making for the door.
"And now you rake your thought for some way to deal with Ketchim. And
leave your father and Uncle John entirely out of the conversation!"

Ketchim was just bowing out a caller as the young engineers mounted
the steps. "See that fellow!" he exclaimed, after giving them a hearty
welcome. "I just sold him a hundred shares of Simiti stock, at five
dollars a share--just half of par. Beginning right on the jump, eh?"

"But--" protested Harris, as they entered the spacious parlor, "the
company isn't even in existence yet--and hasn't an asset!"

"Oh, that's all right," replied Ketchim easily. "It's coming into
existence, and will have the grandest mine in South America! Boys," he
went on earnestly, "I've been talking over the 'phone with Mr. Ames,
our most influential stockholder, and a very warm friend of mine. I
told him about our conversation of yesterday. He says, go right ahead
with the new company--that it's a great idea. He's satisfied with his
present holding, and will not increase it. Says he wants Molino
stockholders to have the opportunity to purchase all the treasury
stock, if they want to."

"Decidedly magnanimous," returned Reed. "But--what about the basis of
organization of the new company?"

"Leave it as we planned it, he says. He thinks the arrangement and
division of stock fine!"

Reed and Harris looked at each other questioningly. It did not seem
possible.

"But," went on Ketchim, "have you seen the morning papers? They are
full of the revolution in Colombia. The country is torn wide open,
and reports say nothing can be done down there until peace is
restored--and that may take a year or two. But, meantime, we will go
ahead and organize the new company and take over Molino and prepare
to begin work just as soon as you fellows can get into that country.
Every