the city
down to one hundred for those farthest out--average one hundred and
fifty, total nine hundred and sixty thousand dollars. Allow say sixty
thousand for 'grease' and there is still nine hundred thousand, and
that doesn't count re-sale commissions. Dave, it's good for a cool
million. And that is just the beginning. It will give us a standing
that will make anything possible."

Dave was doing rapid thinking. Suddenly he faced Conward, and their
eyes met. "Conward," he said, "why do you put this up to me?"

"What d'ye mean?"

"You don't need my little hundred to put this over. Why do you let me
in on it?"

Conward smiled and breathed easily. There had been a moment of tension.

"Oh, that's simple," he answered. "I figure this business is going to
be too big for me, and you are the partner I need. I figure we'll
travel well in double harness. I'm a good mixer--I know people--and
I've got ideas. And you're sound and honourable and people trust you."

"Thanks," said Dave, dryly.

"That's right," Conward continued. "We'll be a combination hard to
beat. You know the story about the brothers in the coal business?"

"No."

"Jim and Fred were coal dealers, when a revival broke out in their
town, and Jim got religion. Then he tried to convert Fred; tried awful
hard to get Fred to at least go to the meetings. But Fred wouldn't
budge. Said it wasn't practicable. Jim argued and coaxed and prayed,
but without result. At last he put it up to Fred.

"'Fred,' he said, 'why won't you come to our meetings?'"

"'Well,' the brother answered, 'it was all right for you to get
religion. Sort o' lends respectability to the firm. But if I get it
too, who's going to weigh the coal?'"

The two men laughed over the story, and yet it left an unpleasant
impression upon Dave. He had never felt sure of Conward, and now he
felt less sure than ever. But the lust of easy money was beginning to
stir within him. The bill in his hands represented more than three
weeks' wages. Conward was making money--making money fast, and surely
here was an opportunity such as comes once in a lifetime. A boy shoved
in his head and yelled for copy. Dave swore at him, impatiently. He
had never before realized how irksome the drudgery of his steady grind
had become.

"I'll go you," he said to Conward at last. "I'll risk this hundred,
and a little more if necessary."

"Good," said Conward, springing to his feet and taking Da