l 'round. I've got the Governor on the hip in that Southern
Mexican deal, and he is at present eating out of my hand. I'll lay
this project on the table now, and you can take it up if you so
desire."

"The scheme seems all right," commented Weston, after a short
meditation. "But the profits are not especially large. What else have
you?"

"Well, a net profit of half a million to split up among us would at
least provide for a yachting party next summer," remarked Ames
sententiously. "And no work connected with it--in fact, the work has
been done. I shall want an additional five per cent for handling it."

An animated discussion followed; and then Fitch offered a motion that
the group definitely take up the project. The Beaubien put the vote,
and it was carried without dissent.

"What about that potato scheme you were figuring on, Ames?" asked
Fitch at this juncture. "Anything ever come of it?"

Ames's eyes twinkled. "I didn't get much encouragement from my
friends," he replied. "A perfectly feasible scheme, too."

"I don't believe it," put in Weston emphatically. "It never could be
put through."

"I have one million dollars that says it could," returned Ames calmly.
"Will you cover it?"

Weston threw up his hands in token of surrender. "Not I!" he
exclaimed, scurrying for cover.

Ames laughed. "Well," he said, "suppose we look into the scheme and
see if we don't want to handle it. It simply calls for a little
thought and work. The profits would be tremendous. Shall I explain?"
He stopped and glanced at the Beaubien for approval. She nodded, and
he went on:

"I have lately been investigating the subject of various food supplies
other than wheat and corn as possible bases for speculation, and my
attention has been drawn strongly to a very humble one, potatoes."

A general laugh followed this announcement. But Ames continued
unperturbed:

"I find that in some sections of the West potatoes are so plentiful at
times that they bring but twenty cents a bushel. My investigations
have covered a period of several months, and now I have in my
possession a large map of the United States with the potato sections,
prices, freight rates and all other necessary data indicated. The
results are interesting. My idea is to send agents into all these
sections next summer before the potatoes are turned up, and contract
for the entire crop at twenty-five cents a bushel. The agents will pay
the farmers cash, and agree to assume