“But you could give me your definite assurance as to what you would be willing to do in order to get this money?”
“Yes,” Dail said, “we’d be willing to grant your request. We’d go farther. We’d do everything in our power to see that Moar received probation, with the understanding, of course, that he would repay the rest of the money. By the way, Mr. Mason, why do you say approximately twenty thousand dollars?”
“Because I don’t know just how much money remains in Moar’s possession.”
Suspicion showed in Dail’s eyes. “Your offer was predicated on twenty thousand dollars.”
“It wasn’t an offer, it was a question, and I said approximately twenty thousand dollars,” Mason corrected.
“Well, I would take approximately to mean within a thousand dollars of that sum.”
“I’m not making any definite proposition,” Mason said. “I’m merely asking a question. The proposition will come later. At that time I’ll know exactly what I have to offer. At the present time my understanding is there is approximately twenty thousand dollars available.”
“Very well,” Dail said, “you know my attitude, Mr. Mason.”
Celinda Dail said, “It seems strange that you’ve been on board ship with us for four days, Mr. Mason, and have just come to Father with this proposition.”
Mason shifted his eyes to her. “I didn’t know your father was president of the Products Refining Company.”