human
Mr. Gamble?
gpt
I'm Gamble,
human
I'm Morton Washer.
gpt
What can I do for you, Mr. Washer?
human
Are you taking bona fide subscriptions to your Terminal Hotel Company?
gpt
No other kind interests me.
human
How nearly is your company filled?
gpt
Why do you want to know? Do you figure on taking some stock?
human
No.
gpt
What do you want?
human
Your price on the property. Will you sell it?
gpt
Of course I will--at a profit.
human
How much?
gpt
Two million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
human
Keep it!
gpt
Much obliged, returned Johnny cheerfully, and returned to his combination daybook, journal, ledger and diary.
human
Ashley, I put in four hours' overtime, Monday. Do I enter that on the debit or credit side?
gpt
I think I'd open a separate account for that,
human
I say, renewed Washer, returning one pace,
gpt
Close, of the Fourth National, is one; Mr. Courtney is another; Colonel Bouncer is another. I have more.
human
Thanks! snapped Washer.
gpt
I'll give you two and a half millions for that property.
human
I'd rather finance the Terminal Hotel. Let me show you a perspective sketch of it, Mr. Washer,
gpt
You'll have to excuse me, blurted Mr. Washer.
human
Good day!
gpt
I didn't know you had Close, commented Loring in surprise.
human
How did you hypnotize him?
gpt
Showed him a profit. Mr. Courtney told me last night that Close boosted me yesterday, so I sold him some stock this morning. Say, Loring, how did you square that fifteen thousand attachment?
human
None of your business,
gpt
I see you've subscribed for stock in the Terminal Hotel Company, he observed.
human
To accommodate a client?
gpt
No, because I thought it would be a good investment, Mr. Close informed him, turning up the edge of a piece of paper and creasing it as carefully as if it had been money.
human
Of course I would not care to have my action influence others.
gpt
Do you think Gamble can fully organize such a company?
human
I think so, stated Mr. Close.
gpt
Understand, I do not recommend the investment; and my stock is subscribed only on condition that he obtains his full quota of capital.
human
What sort of a man is he?
gpt
A very reliable young man, I believe, responded Mr. Close, carefully testing an ink-eaten steel pen point to see if it was really time for it to be thrown away.
human
Of course I could not state Mr. Gamble to be financially responsible, but personally I would trust him. I would not urge or even recommend any one to take part in his projects; but personally I feel quite safe in investing with him, though I would not care to have that fact generally known, because of the influence it might have. Perhaps you had better see some of the other subscribers.
gpt
No, I've seen enough, announced Mr. Washer.
human
Thanks!
gpt
Now, name your bottom price for that property,
human
Two million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
gpt
It's too much money.
human
Don't buy it, then,
gpt
Come on; let's close it up, offered Washer resignedly.
human
I might have to pay more if I waited.
gpt
All right, said Johnny.
human
It's a bargain, then?
gpt
It's a bargain--confound it! agreed Mr. Washer quite affably, now that the struggle was over.
human
Where do we go?
gpt
To Mallard Tyne, the six original owners and myself will all take a piece of your two and three-quarter millions.
human
I ought to take a body-guard, grinned Washer;