"Yes, that is an excellent suggestion. It will mark a very great saving in the transportation cost. Candidly, the idea never occurred to me. You have earned your salary for one year at least," added the president with an indulgent smile. "I felt sure you would dig up something of value to us, to say nothing of the value the experience would be to you."
"I'm not through yet," laughed the Iron Boy. "I'm going to show you how you can save something like thirty thousand dollars a year more on the carrying proposition."
"Why, Rush, you amaze me. It cannot be possible, after figuring down all transportations the way the experts of this company have done and been doing for years."
"The old saying is to the effect that figures never lie. Perhaps mine do. If so, you will be able to discover the untruth at once."
"May I ask how you propose to work this great saving?" asked the president good-naturedly.
"Send your boats back light."
"Send them back light?"
"Yes, sir; in water ballast."
"But, my boy, don't you understand that it will mean the loss of a lot of money to do that? The ships earn a great many thousands of dollars a year by carrying freight for pay on the return trips."