They both took chairs. "I've been thinking of a plan for several weeks, and I guess this is the time to tell you," Rogers began. "As you know, the land syndicate that's been secretly buying in land up along the Palisades has been sending its agents to me. The syndicate is still keeping itself in the dark, but I've learned that it's called the New Jersey Home Company, and that Alexander Chambers is its president. The active work of making a deal with them has just begun, and the deal ought to come to a head in a month or six weeks." He paused and gazed steadily at David, his thin face drawing with despair. Then he said in a low voice: "Haven't you noticed--during the last year--I've been losing strength?" David nodded. "Yes--these prison lungs!" he breathed, with fierce bitterness. "I saw my doctor last week. He told me in this climate I might last a year--a little more, a little less. If I went to Colorado or New Mexico I might last several years, might even get well. That's what I want to do--finish up this deal, then drop everything and go West. "He told me I must do no work, and keep away from excitement. I knew that already. Yet this deal's going to mean a lot of both. I simply haven't got the strength to see it through. I must have someone to help me--and I want that someone to be you." "Me!" cried David. "Why, I don't know the first thing about real estate." "You don't need to. The chief thing will be just to stick to the price I set. There'll be a lot of stiff talking--you can do that. And Mr. Hoffman will help some; he's got a little interest in the deal." "But my record. They'll doubtless learn about it. Aren't you afraid that may endanger you?" "I count that they'll say I've taken you in to give you a new chance in life--and perhaps think no more about it. As for the danger, I'd rather have a man I can trust whose record they may find out, than have near me a man who may find out _my_ record--and tell." David nodded. "I see your point." "You'll be with me, won't you?" "Can a drowning man refuse a rope thrown him?" They shook hands. "The financial situation is like this," Rogers went on. "In my option I guaranteed the owners to sell the land for one hundred and fifteen thousand; I had to guarantee high to keep the land. I am to have half of all I get over that amount, and in addition, an agent's commission of five per cent. of the sale price. I am demanding from the syndicate a very much larger price than it has been paying for similar tracts. And I'll get my price, too--for they must have the land; and besides, the price is fair, much less than the land is worth to the syndicate. I'm asking one hundred and fifty thousand.