He paused for a moment to let this sink in. Joe said nothing, and Tompkinson, with a quick glance at Harrish, a glance that did not escape Joe, went on:
“Now, there’s no reason on earth, Mr. Matson, why you shouldn’t get in on this. We can give you tips on stocks from which the element of chance is almost wholly eliminated. Why shouldn’t you pick up thousands of dollars that are fairly begging to be gathered in?”
“Thanks, just as much,” replied Joe, “but I’ll stick to the game I know, and hold on to what I have.”
Again a quick glance passed between the two associates.
“Safe and sane, is it?” smiled Tompkinson. “Don’t want to risk your capital even on such conservative lines as we propose? Well, suppose then, just to try the thing out, we carry your account for a while without your investing a dollar?”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Joe.
“Just this,” was the reply. “We’ll purchase a certain number of stocks that we feel absolutely sure will rise, and when that rise comes we’ll turn over the profits to you. We’ll carry it on our books in your name, but you won’t have to advance a dollar.”
“But suppose the stocks are sold at a loss. I’ll be owing you money,” protested Joe.
“If there’s any loss,” said Tompkinson impressively, “you’ll never get a bill for it. We’ll pocket the loss ourselves as a punishment for our bad judgment.”
“In other words,” said Joe slowly. “I can’t lose and I may win.”