"You can get Risley & Cohn's offices, but the rent is high–$5,000 a year. They ask $3,000 for the furniture as it stands."
"Take both for Halsey & Company," said Fred. "Pay one year in advance. I'll give you a check for $8,000," and he did.
"I'll have the lease for you this afternoon," said the old man.
Bob and Fred then went off to engage a sign painter to put up their firm name in big gold letters on the immense plate glass front of the offices.
The next day they found their name
"HALSEY & COMPANY, "Bankers, "Speculators in Stocks, Bonds, etc."
in big gold letters, the handsomest on the street. Mr. Allison, the man who had kept the books for Risley & Cohn for fifteen years, had been engaged for them by Bowles, who told him they were a couple of boys. He was elderly, bald, with a full, round face known to every broker in Wall Street. His knowledge of Wall Street was thorough.
"It will create a sensation when it is known who Halsey & Company are," he remarked to them, as they watched the people admire the sign as they went by.
"Yes, I guess so. We'll have some fun with 'em. But see here, Mr. Allison, we are no fools if we haven't got any beards. We want you to manage the banking end of this thing, and stand ready to collar us when you see us going wrong. Do you understand?" and Fred faced him as he spoke.
The old man looked over his glasses at him for a few moments as if surprised at what he had just heard.