"Just as you please, sir."
"It is briefly this: Do you see this watch?"
He took out a showy gold watch, and held it up before Bert.
"I find myself unexpectedly short of funds, owing to the failure of a remittance to come to hand, and I am going to offer you this watch at a bargain. You have none, I see."
"No, and I have no money to spare to buy one."
"Wait till I offer you an inducement. This watch cost me a hundred dollars. I have had it only six months. I offer it to you for twenty-five."
"I presume that is a good offer; but I have no money of my own that I can use for the purpose of buying a watch."
"My young friend, it will pay you to borrow, for you can double your money on the watch. Any one will give you fifty for it."
"Then why do you offer it to me for twenty-five?" asked Bert shrewdly.
"Because I can't wait to hunt up a customer."