"What have you to say to me?" inquired Indiman, abruptly. I could see that he wanted to kick him.
"I have an adventure—of the first class. I desire to dispose of it."
"Yes."
"A noble, a surpassing adventure. Moreover, a commercial opening that is not to be despised—fifty per cent on your capital every six months."
"Yes."
"I offer you, then, my well-established business of adjuster of averages, good-will and office fixtures included."
"But I never even heard of such a profession. I know nothing about averages and their adjustment."
"What difference! It is the adventure that particularly concerns you, is it not? The business—pouf! it runs itself." "And the terms?"
"I make them ridiculously easy. You are to take over the business, including the lease of my offices in the Barowsky Brothers' bank building, William H. Seward Square. In return for this accommodation I am prepared to pay you the sum of ten thousand dollars." Mr. Chivers grinned cheerfully as he concluded this astounding proposition. He pulled ten new one-thousand-dollar bills from his waistcoat-pocket and laid them on the table.
Indiman regarded the little man thoughtfully. "You have been in business for your health?" he inquired, with an affectation of polite interest.