Five days later the news-stand in the lobby of the Adams Building was ready for business. It had all been extremely simple and easy. Mr. Strobe had not only consented to use his influence with Mr. Adams, but had declared that he believed the investment of thirty dollars in the enterprise to be a good stroke of business. In fact, Jack’s father became the most enthusiastic of the three that evening when the matter was broached to him. If, he said, Jack didn’t want to go into partnership with Joe he’d be glad to take a half interest himself! A news-stand in the Adams Building ought to be a money-maker, and he wondered that someone hadn’t thought of it before. Thereupon Joe suggested anxiously that perhaps someone had, and wasn’t satisfied until Jack’s father had called Mr. Adams up on the telephone and ascertained that the privilege had not been disposed of and that Mr. Adams was quite willing to confer with them tomorrow in the matter. Mr. Joseph Adams was president and principal owner of the big carpet mills and held title to much residence and store property throughout the town. He was about forty-two years of age, a much younger man than Joe had expected to find when, led by Mr. Strobe, they entered his office in the new building early the next morning. The business was completed in rather less than five minutes. Mr. Strobe stated what was wanted, Joe answered a question as to proposed location of the stand, they all descended to view the spot, and Mr. Adams then said: “I’m agreeable. Rent free until the first of March. After that, eighteen dollars a month. Keep everything clean and neat. Come around this afternoon and I’ll have a lease ready for you.” When they returned at half-past three Mr. Adams said: “One thing I neglected to speak of, boys. About your counter and showcase, now; better let me attend to those, I guess. I don’t want anything that clashes with the finish down there. I’ve got Mayer coming here in about ten minutes. He’s the boss-carpenter. I thought we’d decide what was wanted and he could go ahead and put it up. The walls are cream white down there and I think we’d ought to have the stand to match. That suit you? What had you thought of?” “Mahogany, sir,” replied Joe. “That is, imitation mahogany. But I think cream white would look better.” “I guess so. Now, look here.” Mr. Adams drew a sheet of paper towards him and sketched roughly. “A row of shelves across to here; sliding doors at the back; panelled in front. Then a flap counter the rest of the way; lift it up to get in, you know; crawl under if you’d rather. Now what about shelves at the back? Need them? They wouldn’t look well, I guess.” “I don’t think so,” replied Joe. “I guess we’d have room for everything on the counter and in the showcase. I――I hadn’t thought about a showcase, though, Mr. Adams. Won’t it cost a good deal?” “Twelve dollars and sixty cents. I priced it. That needn’t worry you, though; I’m paying for the whole thing.”