He wrote hurriedly and signed. Braine looked over the paper and tore it up.
"That's worthless," he said. "A contract without consideration can't be enforced. I want a legally binding agreement this time. I'll draw it."
He did so, and then read it to the banker, who assented to its terms, and was about to sign it when Braine stopped him.
"Wait a moment" he said; then raising his voice he called: "Mikey!"
The apprentice appeared, trembling lest judgment day had come for the sin of smoking cigarettes.
"I want you to see Mr. Hildreth and me sign this paper. Never mind reading it," he said, laying a blotting pad over the lines, as he saw the boy's eyes wandering curiously over the document. When the two had signed, he turned to Mikey and said:
"Now, write the word 'witness' in that corner, and sign your own name under it."
When the lad had finished, Braine turned to Hildreth, who was beamingly about to shake hands with him, and said in a strangely cold and haughty tone:
"I believe that finishes our business, Mr. Hildreth, and as I have some matters to discuss with Mikey, I beg you will excuse me. Good morning, sir."
Hildreth passed out of the office, astonishment, vexation, and triumph struggling for mastery in his mind.