Tom returned to the garage after supper――it was less than four short blocks from the house――and found Jimmy and Willard unpacking cases of oil, grease and soap. They were stowing the cans on a series of shelves back of the office which Jimmy had put up that afternoon. “I’ve been thinking, Tom,” announced Jimmy, “that what we ought to do is build a sort of bay-window in the office and show goods in it. It wouldn’t cost much and there’s a good twelve feet between the front of the building and the building line.” “How would it do to put a little addition on that corner?” asked Tom. “Say about eight feet by ten and then have a couple of big, broad windows in front where we could show things? Then we’d use it for the office and salesroom both, and there’d be a small door at the side, so we could get in without going through the garage part. Of course,” he added, laughing, “I’m not suggesting doing it to-morrow, because I guess by the time we pay for the things we’ve ordered we’ll be stone-broke, but――――” “Some day we will,” said Willard decisively. “Fellows, we ought to own this place and then we could fix it up as we liked; build on at the back and front, too, if we wanted to.” “Well, we’ve got enough room for now,” said Jimmy contentedly. “It’s a lot of fun, though, planning what you’ll do later, isn’t it? Is that the last of these boxes, Will? Now let’s check off. You have the list, haven’t you? By the way, Tom, we get our first boarder next week.” “Boarder?” repeated Tom, puzzled. “Yes. Quinby’s car is due about Monday or Tuesday, and we’re to unload it for him and bring it up here.” Jimmy squinted thoughtfully a moment. “Unloading a car ought to be worth about five dollars, I guess.” “If you get five dollars out of Mr. Quinby,” said Willard dryly, “you’ll be doing well!” Jimmy smiled untroubledly. “A man with a new automobile will pay any price you ask him to――if it’s for the auto! And five dollars isn’t a cent too much. In fact, I’m not sure we oughtn’t to ask him more!” “Better start easy,” laughed Tom, “or Mr. Quinby will get scared and send his car back to the maker! Now go on with your checking, you loafers. It’s a good thing I came. If I hadn’t you’d have sat around here doing nothing all the evening!” “Is that so, sonny? Just cast your eye along those shelves and tell me if you see anything,” replied Willard indignantly. “There are a few cans there,” replied Tom. “A few cans! There are six dozen cans, my young friend, and Jimmy and I unpacked them all with our tender little hands. Suppose you get busy and do something yourself. Get the wax crayon in the office and mark the price on each can as we give it to you. I guess that’ll hold you for a while!” CHAPTER XXVII THE ENEMY IN TROUBLE