e before replying.

"Humph!" he grunted, after the fifth puff. "Wellmouth Development
Company, eh? You're interested in that, are you?"

"Why--ah--yes, yes. To a certain extent, yes, Mr. Pulcifer."

"Humph! What d'you mean, interested? How interested?"

"Why, as--ah--as an investment, you know. As something to put one's
money into."

"Humph! Was you thinkin' of puttin' some of yours into it?"

"Why, not exactly. But, you see, a friend of mine--But, really, I think
I shouldn't give any further particulars at the present time. You'll
excuse me under the circumstances, Mr. Pulcifer, I'm sure. Dear me, I
hope you will."

He was forgiven. Mr. Pulcifer assured him to that effect. But Raish
was still uncertain just how to proceed. He continued to puff and
scrutinize.

"What I wish to know," continued his caller, after another moment's
interval, "is--well, in short, I should like to know your opinion of
Wellmouth Development shares as an investment security."

"Um--ye-es. Well, you said that before."

"Did I? Dear me, I believe I did. Well, then, suppose, just suppose that
I actually did wish to buy some of those shares. Would you consider it a
good thing for me to do?"

Here at last was something tangible--and promising. Mr. Pulcifer's puffy
lids drew nearer together to hide the gleam behind them. He took the
cigar from his mouth and held it between the fingers of his right hand.
During his next speech he gesticulated with it.

"Would I consid--" he began, and then paused, apparently overcome by his
feelings. The pause was not long, however. "Would I consider Wellmouth
Development a good thing for you to put your money in? WOULD I?"

"Ah--yes. Would you?"

"Say, Perfessor, you listen to me. _I_ know all about Wellmouth
Development. You've come to the right place. You listen."

Galusha listened, listened for a long time. The red of the Pulcifer
cigar tip died out and that of the Pulcifer face brightened.

"And so I say," vowed Raish, in conclusion, "with all that property
behind it and all that future ahead of it, if Development ain't a good
investment, what is?"

"I don't know, I'm sure," confessed Galusha. "But--"

"Don't know? You bet you don't know! Nor nobody else. Not for quick
returns, maybe--though you can't never tell. But for a feller that's
willin' to buy and put away and hang on--say, how can you beat it?"

"I don't know, but--"

"You bet you don't know! The main thing is to buy right. And I