“Sure, you have. He’s grandson to the first Silas Moore Bristed, the famous inventor, whose name is borne by several big corporations. But it’s all passed out of the family. Young Silas is as poor as a church mouse. He’s a salesman in a bond house.” “A good sort of fellow?” asked Joe, conveying a certain intimation. “Innocent as a lamb,” said Harry. “Well, I’ll look him over.” “I’ll introduce you.” “No you don’t! Just tell me where he’s to be found, and I’ll get next him. He mustn’t know of any connection between you and me, because later, he’ll have to come to you, when he wants to make his proposition to Amasa Gore.” “Oh, I see!” said Harry with a thin smile. There was a silence. “Well . . . I suppose I got to go,” said Joe, smothering a yawn. “Look here,” said Harry in a voice that showed strain, “what is there in this for me?” Joe clapped him affectionately on the shoulder. “Why, you’ll be right in on the ground floor, old fel’! I’ll tell you the exact right moment when to buy and when to sell. You ought to clean up a nice little pile on it!” “How about a little treasury stock for me, too?” “What for?” asked Joe with a cold stare. “You really need me in this,” said Harry. “You’ve got ideas, I grant, but I’ve got the experience. You and I ought to be working together shoulder to shoulder in the background.” “I certainly am grateful for any help you can give me,” said Joe, “but I hadn’t counted on regularly taking anybody in with me. There isn’t enough in it for two.” “Oh hell!” said Harry, “what’s a few shares of treasury stock more or less. Issue me a thousand shares, and I’ll guarantee to get Amasa Gore into it. You know what influence I have there.” “Is that a threat?” asked Joe calmly. Harry appeared to be wounded to the quick. “What do you think I am!” he cried. He looked around him as much as to say: In my own club, too! “Because, if it is,” said Joe, coolly, “there’s nothing to it. Whether you get any treasury stock or not, you have a chance to make thousands buying and selling the stock on the curb. You’re not going to queer that!” “If you think that way about me, I can’t talk to you,” said Harry, with dignity. Joe looked at him quizzically. “Aah! climb down!” he said. There was a silence. At length Harry said: “Well, do I get the thousand shares?” “You _do_ not!” said Joe promptly. “This is my scheme. You can’t expect to come in on the same basis as me!” “Well, five hundred, then,” said Harry. “Oh hell!” said Joe, “I can’t Jew a friend down! I want you in with me, Harry; that’s a fact! I look up to you, Harry. You’ve taught me a lot. I’ll make it five hundred shares. . . .” V