Mr. Robison evidently was going to ask Richards & Tuttle to take the one hundred thousand dollars and double it for him, which meant that Mr. Richards would have to inform Mr. Robison that the firm was not in the miracle business; and that would make Mr. Robison go away mad. Total—no commissions!
“Well,” Richards said, just a trifle coldly, “did you come to us to ask us to double your money for you?”
“No, indeed,” answered Robison; “I came here to do it.”
“When?”
“In one week—or, rather, in five days and two hours.”
“How are you going to do it?” The broker's curiosity was not feigned.
“I propose to study the Menagerie.”
Richards said nothing, but looked “Lunatic!”
“That way inevitably suggests the combinations to you.” Mr. Robison nodded to himself.
Richards, to be on the safe side, did likewise and muttered, absently, “That's so!”