“I suggest that we leave that for the Directors to decide later,” offered Cass, anxious to avoid discord. He was young, scarcely out of the twenties, just married, just admitted to the bar, and eager to get a toe-hold in the world of business. “And now,” he concluded, “if agreeable to you, I will put this through at once, organize the company, and get the charter. You gentlemen will return to Colombia as soon as Mr. Ketchim can provide the necessary funds.”
“Mr. Harris and I have formed an engineering partnership,” said Reed. “As such, we will handle the affairs of the new company in Colombia. Mr. Harris will proceed to that country, while I go to California to open a copper mine which we have taken over there. In time I will relieve Mr. Harris in the South. Now, Mr. Ketchim, what can you do?”
“I’ll send Houghton and Nezlett out on the road to-morrow. Rawlins has just told me of one prospect, a bully one! We don’t need to wait for the papers from Albany before going 42 ahead. But we find it costs about forty-eight cents to sell a dollar’s worth of stock, and so some time will be needed to raise enough to send Mr. Harris back to Colombia––unless,” he added, eying Harris furtively, “he will advance us the amount of his own expenses––”
“Which he will not!” retorted Harris warmly. “I haven’t it, anyway. Nor has Reed. We’re both broke.”
“There’s a revolution on down there now,” said Reed, “and we’d better go easy for a while. Besides, Harris needs time to study the language. But, are we all agreed on the terms? Salary for Harris while in Colombia to be settled later, of course.”
“It’s all satisfactory, I think,” said Ketchim, smiling happily. “The details can be worked out anon––Molino stockholders’ meeting, and so on.”
“Then,” said Reed, rising, “we will consider the new company launched, to take over the defunct Molino and to operate on a comprehensive scale in Colombia, beginning with the development of La Libertad, if we can secure it.”
At that moment Rawlins opened the door and peered in. “A gentleman to see Mr. Reed,” he announced softly; “a priest, I believe.”
Harris sprang to his feet. The door swung open, and Father Waite entered with Carmen.
With a glad cry the girl dropped her bundle and bounded into the arms of the astonished Harris. Reed grasped the priest’s hand, and begged him to speak. Ketchim and the young lawyer looked on in perplexity.