“Very well. Offer him a trifle—say fifty dollars for the term. Now then, as to your outfit here. Would you be willing to turn over your right and interest here to the company at a fair price, in consideration of a contract for two years establishing you here as their accredited operator?”
Tom’s face changed to all colors. His eye sparkled.
“Mr. Mason,” he said frankly, “you take my breath away!”
The wireless professional smiled indulgently. Mr. Morgan rested a friendly, encouraging hand on Tom’s shoulder.
“The equipment here,” continued Mr. Mason, making a swift mental calculation, “is not worth a great deal. The installation, however, cost something. I shall recommend the company to offer you five hundred dollars for the outfit.”
Tom gasped now. Business was business, and he realized that the keen-faced man of affairs who was talking to him was too shrewd to throw anything away or buy a bad bargain. For all that, he was fairly stunned at the good fortune that had come to him.
“I will be glad to do as you suggest,” he said, choked up from varied emotions.
“Good!” cried Mr. Mason. “The papers will be sent to you soon as I can report to headquarters. In the meantime, you can negotiate for the lease we spoke about I will have a contract forwarded to you, accompanying full instructions as to your duties as our representative.”
“What will you pay Barnes?” inquired Mr. Morgan, a practical business man on all occasions.
“Sixty dollars a month,” was the reply.