Mr. Calworth was middle-aged, and a sprinkling of gray showed in his black hair. But there was a sparkle in his eyes, an ease of movement and callouses on his hands. Obviously he did something besides sit at a desk, and Jeff guessed shrewdly that he was an outdoor enthusiast himself. Jeff took the proffered chair and draped himself carelessly, but not too carelessly, upon it. "I represent Tarrant Enterprises," Jeff almost added the Ltd., but caught himself in time. "We may wish to expand." "Are you in sporting goods?" "Partly." "And you're considering Ackerton?" "Yes and no. That's what I hope to decide." "There's plenty of room, Mr. Tarrant." "But how much _good_ room?" Mr. Calworth laughed. "I'll tell you frankly. There are a variety of sporting goods stores, but Ryerson and Hapley split forty-five per cent of the trade and ninety per cent of the most desirable trade. However, there is no reason why an aggressive newcomer should not do very well." Jeff bent forward. "Is there a survey--Oh!" Purposely arranged to do so, the knife in his pocket had slipped and thrust the front of his new coat outward. Grinning his embarrassment, Jeff took the knife from his pocket and balanced it on his knee. Mr. Calworth's eyes followed his movements. "What do you have there?" "One of our specialties." Jeff gave him the knife. "A rather exceptional piece." Mr. Calworth slipped the knife from its sheath, and his eyes warmed as he examined it. He tested the blade with his thumb and shaved a couple of hairs from the back of his hand. When he turned to Jeff, he was interested. "You specialize in this sort of thing?" "We specialize in quality," Jeff said casually. "When we sell, we like to believe that the customer receives full value." "Do you get many articles as good?" Jeff shrugged. "Look at it. Can that be mass-produced?" "No," Mr. Calworth admitted. "What is your retail price on this knife?" "Twenty dollars," Jeff said firmly. "When do you intend to open your branch, Mr. Tarrant?" "I'm not sure we will open it. At least, we won't until after much more extensive research." "Would you care to make Ryerson your agent until you decide definitely?" Jeff deliberated. Then, "I hadn't thought of an agency." "It can't hurt you and it might make you some money. I'll continue to be frank. This is not something to offer an average customer because he simply cannot afford it. But there are sportsmen who can, and they come to Ryerson's. We'll take this, and any other quality merchandise you have, at a thirty per cent discount." Jeff thought of Barr's other knife, a few of the rest, the hatchets, the bridle reins, and made a swift calculation. Not all were equally valuable, but all were quality. If Ryerson paid him cash, he would more than make up for everything he had dispensed from his pack, his train fare, his expenses in Ackerton, and he would still have valuable goods. He said finally, "It should work to our mutual benefit."