At the appointed time they found the little German awaiting them, a rotund smile of false good-nature illuminating his rosy face. Orde introduced his partner. Newmark immediately took charge of the interview.
“I have executed here the contract, and the bonds secured by Mr. Orde's and my shares of stock in the new company,” he explained. “It is only necessary that you affix your signature and summon the required witnesses.”
Heinzman reached his hands for the papers, beaming over his glasses at the two young men.
As he read, however, his smile vanished, and he looked up sharply.
“Vat is this?” he inquired, a new crispness in his voice. “You tolt me,” he accused Orde, “dot you were not brepared to break out the rollways. You tolt me you would egspect me to do that for myself.”
“Certainly,” agreed Orde.
“Vell, why do you put in this?” demanded Heinzman, reading from the paper in his hand. “'In case said rollways belonging to said parties of the second part are not broken out by the time the drive has reached them, and in case on demand said parties of the second part do refuse or do not exercise due diligence in breaking out said rollways, the said parties of the first part shall themselves break out said rollways, and the said parties of the second part do hereby agree to reimburse said parties of the first part at the rate of a dollar per thousand board feet.'”
“That is merely to protect ourselves,” struck in Newmark.
“But,” exploded Heinzman, his face purpling, “a dollar a tousand is absurd!”
“Of course it is,” agreed Newmark. “We expect it to be. But also we expect you to break out your own rollways in time. It is intended as a penalty in case you don't.”