The assignee looked alarmed.
"What do you say to this, Mr. Walton?" he asked.
"Simply that it is false," returned Scott. "If you have any doubts as to my being in the employ of the firm, you can look at this letter received this morning."
The assignee read the letter given at the commencement of this chapter.
"Mr. Little, you appear to be mistaken," he said, severely. "What can be your object in trying to discredit Mr. Walton, I will not inquire, though I can guess at it. If you wish to negotiate for any of the stock I refer you to him. He obtained it on such terms that he can afford to deal with you liberally."
This was gall and wormwood to Mr. Little, but he wished to make his journey pay, and broached the subject to Scott.
"Will you sell me what I want at the price you paid?" he asked.
"No, Mr. Little, I cannot do that, but I will sell at five per cent. profit."
When Mr. Little made an examination of prices, he ascertained that even on these terms he would make a better bargain than he anticipated. The result was that he bought five thousand dollars' worth of goods from Scott, and felt sure that even then he would clear more than a thousand dollars on his purchases.
As he left the office with Scott, Loammi questioned him eagerly.