“I hardly think so.”
“Vell, suppose ve fix him this way,” went on Heinzman, clasping his hands over his stomach and beaming through his spectacles. “Proctor and I haf talked it ofer, and ve are agreet that the probosition is a good one. Also ve think it is vell to help the young fellers along.” He laughed silently in such a manner as to shake himself all over. “Ve do not vish to be too severe, and yet ve must be assured that ve get our logs on time. Now, I unterstood you to say that this new concern is a stock company.”
Orde did not remember having said so, but he nodded.
“Vell, if you gif us a bond secured with stock in the new company, that would be satisfactory to us.”
Orde's face cleared.
“Do you mean that, Mr. Heinzman?”
“Sure. Ve must haf some security, but ve do not vish to be too hard on you boys.”
“Now, I call that a mighty good way out!” cried Orde.
“Make your contract out according to these terms, then,” said Heinzman, handing him a paper, “and bring it in Monday.”
Orde glanced over the slip. It recited two and a quarter as the agreed price; specified the date of delivery at Heinzman and Proctor's booms; named twenty-five thousand dollars as the amount of the bond, to be secured by fifty thousand dollars' worth of stock in the new company. This looked satisfactory. Orde arose.