"I'm not sure about it," said Old Gripper, with a flitting smile. "Merriwell is a fighter, and he seems to enjoy trouble. But we are not progressing. You have asked me a lot of questions, but have not yet stated your business."
"I am contemplating investing in Central Sonora when it is placed on the market."
"Ah!"
"Yes, señor. I have some money I wish to invest in something solid and promising. I presume you will be ready enough to put out much of that stock, and it may start a little slow. On your assurance that you believe it a good thing, I will take some shares."
"How much do you contemplate investing?"
"What will be the par value of the stock?"
"One hundred dollars a share."
"Then," said Alvarez Lazaro, with perfect nonchalance, "you may put me down, if you are willing, for one thousand shares."
Old Gripper blinked.
"That is one hundred thousand dollars," he said.