"Delmuth is not likely to play fair on any basis," declared Mayo quietly. "You don't know him, Rawlings. If you did, you would not negotiate with him. However, I warned you.
"We can do with this makeshift arrangement. He will want to hold the Grandoso account, and that will give us a head start. But if he gets a good offer from a rival lotion concern, I warn you, he will drop the cigar advertising in a moment!"
The door was closed during this discussion. Delmuth, in the hallway, was putting on his overcoat while the servant held it.
Going down in the elevator, the advertising man felt in both inside and outside pockets.
He smiled as he felt the envelope and the revolver.
In the taxicab, Delmuth drew the envelope front his pocket. He held it between his hands as he smiled, and speculated on what had transpired.
"The fools!" he exclaimed in a low voice. "Handing me that soft proposition. They're stalling for time, and they don't think I know it — none except Mayo.
"They can have six months start for all I care — the way Mayo keeps bidding back on all his propositions. Then I can break out with another lotion, and it will be the same story over again.
"As for that Grandoso account, they'll find out that their contract will be a hard one to break, without paying plenty. Fools!" He laughed softly. "If they only knew what was in this envelope!
"Well, that's over, and I didn't have to say more than a few words. Easy money and no work!" Delmuth opened the envelope as he spoke. He removed a paper which it contained, and unfolded the document.