Murgatroyd picked a pair of nose glasses off his vest, carefully adjusted them, and lifted the paper. The following marked paragraph riveted his attention:
Wanted: A man of nerve, one who has had some experience with flying machines and can handle a gasoline motor. To such a person a chance is offered to fly for fame and fortune in a new aëroplane. Sand and sagacity absolutely essential. Call on or address, A. Murgatroyd, Brown Block, Jamestown, North Dakota.
The broker dropped the paper, leaned back in his chair, and swept the glasses off his nose. Tapping the glasses against the knuckles of his left hand, he continued to regard the youth.
"Well?" he growled. "It's my 'ad.' What of it?"
"I've come several hundred miles to answer it in person."
"You? Why, I advertised for a man, not a boy."
"What difference does that make, so long as I can do the work?"
Amos Murgatroyd had no answer for this, and his remarks took another tack.
"Had any experience with aëroplanes?"