Mr. Black gave his son a keen glance.
"Yes," he said, in a peculiar tone. "Whole families have been put out of the way for as many cents. But," he added, hastily, "there is no such question in our case. Ha! ha! the idea is simply preposterous!"
His companions echoed the laugh, but in a strained fashion. Ralph continued to stare moodily at the floor. After a while Willis Round announced that he had a proposition to make.
"You said a few moments ago that it was war to the knife now," he commenced.
"Yes."
"It is to your interest to ruin the new firm before the awarding of the army contracts, eh?"
"Certainly. If they are in business by the end of the present month they will secure the valuable contracts without a doubt."
"What would you give if they were rendered unable to bid for them?"
The merchant stared at his questioner half contemptuously.
"Why do you ask? You do not think you could ruin them single-handed?" he asked, banteringly.