“You may be wrong about that, Chick,” answered his employer absently, as he lighted his after-breakfast cigar. “What’s the booklet about?”
“Well, the heading looks as if it might possibly interest us. It reads: ‘The Lost Heir Found! The Story of a Great Estate to be Given to the Use and Benefit of Everybody.’”
“What’s that?” demanded Nick, suddenly interested.
“Well, there’s a lot in it about a long-lost heir having suddenly returned and claimed his own. He has traveled far during his years of absence, and, while away, he has made a deep study of country homes for the masses at a low cost. It is a hobby with him.”
“Go on. Are you reading from the book?”
“I am picking out the important parts,” returned Chick. “Do you want to see it? Here it is.”
He handed the gaudy-covered pamphlet to his chief, who rapidly absorbed the salient points of its contents. He had the faculty of skimming pages and getting their purport in a few hasty glances.
One paragraph that particularly interested him explained things in these rather bombastic terms:
“The long-lost heir of this estate—which is within a few miles of New York City—has resolved that some of the broad acres which have now become his shall be surrendered to the people. Upon these acres he will build a model settlement, a city of beautiful homes, each set in a fair garden of its own. To these he invites those who have heretofore been cooped up in city flats to come and live, really, in the lap of bounteous nature. Come to the new Paradise City and see for yourselves.”
The exact situation of the new Paradise City was not given. Those who were interested could call at room No. 2006 in one of the great skyscraping office buildings downtown, and there learn all they might wish to know. It was also stated that a small sum down would be required. After that the property could be paid for in monthly payments.