"I see in this thing the chance I have been waiting for, and am ready to consider it favorably. Big money is to be made, can be made out of it for me, and I can, at the same time and in the same enterprise, become a man of affairs."
"M-m," breathed his listener, "How do you propose to conduct it?"
"Well," artfully, "first, it should, of course, be incorporated. And then a competent manager and treasurer are necessary."
"M-m. Do you propose to increase the present stock?"
"Not at once. I think the stock as it stands at the present, is quite sufficient to care for the trade which, I have observed, is good."
"M-m."
"I thought as a favor, I would tell you and give you a chance. You could put in an equal share along with myself, which would give you a fourth interest, and you could become vice president."
"I suppose you will, of course, quit selling books, should you take over the affairs of this—er—corporation?" said Wyeth, with well feigned regret.
"Well," said the other, meditatively; "I have not fully decided as yet. It depends largely upon whether you can be brought to see the great advantage you would gain by coming in."
"But what little I represent—which surely isn't much—is tied up in the book business. How much will this thing cost?" Slim winked wisely, held his head low, and whispered it into his ear.