"'Yes. I read the stock exchange list every morning.'
"'Now that shows real application!' he cried. 'That is the way toprosper! You won't mind my testing you, will you? Let me see. How areAyrshires?'
"'A hundred and six and a quarter to a hundred and five andseven-eighths.'
"'And New Zealand consolidated?'
"'A hundred and four.
"'And British Broken Hills?'
"'Seven to seven-and-six.'
"'Wonderful!' he cried, with his hands up. 'This quite fits in with allthat I had heard. My boy, my boy, you are very much too good to be aclerk at Mawson's!'
"This outburst rather astonished me, as you can think. 'Well,' said I,'other people don't think quite so much of me as you seem to do, Mr.Pinner. I had a hard enough fight to get this berth, and I am very gladto have it.'
"'Pooh, man; you should soar above it. You are not in your true sphere.Now, I'll tell you how it stands with me. What I have to offer is littleenough when measured by your ability, but when compared with Mawson's,it's light to dark. Let me see. When do you go to Mawson's?'
"'On Monday.'
"'Ha, ha! I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that you don'tgo there at all.'
"'Not go to Mawson's?'
"'No, sir. By that day you will be the business manager of theFranco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, with a hundred and thirty-fourbranches in the towns and villages of France, not counting one inBrussels and one in San Remo.'
"This took my breath away. 'I never heard of it,' said I.
"'Very likely not. It has been kept very quiet, for the capital was allprivately subscribed, and it's too good a thing to let the publicinto. My brother, Harry Pinner, is promoter, and joins the board afterallotment as managing director. He knew I was in the swim down here, andasked me to pick up a good man cheap. A young, pushing man with plentyof snap about him. Parker spoke of you, and that brought me hereto-night. We can only offer you a beggarly five hundred to start with.'
"'Five hundred a year!' I shouted.
"'Only that at the beginning; but you are to have an overridingcommission of one per cent on all business done by your agents, and youmay take my word for it that this will come to more than your salary.'
"'But I know nothing about hardware.'
"'Tut, my boy; you know about figures.'
"My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in my chair. But suddenlya little chill of doubt came upon me.
"'I must be frank with you,' said I. 'Mawson only gives me two hundred,but Mawson is safe. Now, really, I know so little about your companythat--'
"'Ah, smart, smart!' he cried, in a kind of ecstasy of delight. 'Youare the very man for us. You are not to be talked over, and quite right,too. Now, here's a note for a hundred pounds, and if you think that wecan do business you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance uponyour salary.'
"'That is very handsome,' said I. 'When should I take over my newduties?'
"'Be in Birmingham to-morrow at one,' said he. 'I have a note in mypocket here which you will take to my brother. You will find him at126b Corporation Street, where the temporary offices of the companyare situated. Of course he must confirm your engagement, but betweenourselves it will be all right.'
"'Really, I hardly know how to express my gratitude, Mr. Pinner,' saidI.
"'Not at all, my boy. You have only got your deserts. There are one ortwo small things--mere formalities--which I must arrange with you.You have a bit of paper beside you there. Kindly write upon it "I amperfectly willing to act as business manager to the Franco-MidlandHardware Company, Limited, at a minimum salary of L500."'
"I did as he asked, and he put the paper in his pocket.
"'There is one other detail,' said he. 'What do you intend to do aboutMawson's?'
"I had forgotten all about Mawson's in my joy. 'I'll write and resign,'said I.