Dave was doing rapid thinking. Suddenly he faced Conward, and their eyes met. "Conward," he said, "why do you put this up to me?"
"What d'ye mean?"
"You don't need my little hundred to put this over. Why do you let me in on it?"
Conward smiled and breathed easily. There had been a moment of tension.
"Oh, that's simple," he answered. "I figure this business is going to be too big for me, and you are the partner I need. I figure we'll travel well in double harness. I'm a good mixer—I know people—and I've got ideas. And you're sound and honourable and people trust you."
"Thanks," said Dave, dryly.
"That's right," Conward continued. "We'll be a combination hard to beat. You know the story about the brothers in the coal business?"
"No."
"Jim and Fred were coal dealers, when a revival broke out in their town, and Jim got religion. Then he tried to convert Fred; tried awful hard to get Fred to at least go to the meetings. But Fred wouldn't budge. Said it wasn't practicable. Jim argued and coaxed and prayed, but without result. At last he put it up to Fred.
"'Fred,' he said, 'why won't you come to our meetings?'"