第68章

This, however, is a different matter.We are not hogs, Mr.Paine, but business men.If our plans go through, Denboro will be grateful to us and to you.""IF they go through? I thought you were certain of their going through.""Certainly, certainly.There is, of course, an 'if' in all human plans, but our particular 'if' is a small one.I hope you will name your figure now, at once.Don't be afraid.We are disposed to be liberal.And, understand, this is entirely a cash transaction.You shall have the money in one hand as you sign the contract with the other.Ha! ha! What is the price to be?"But I would not name a price.I seemed to feel as unreasonably reluctant to close with the Bay Shore Development Company as I had been with Captain Jed or Colton.

"Shall I make a bid?" asked Keene.

"No, not yet at any rate.Tell me, this: Whose land have you already bought?"He shook his head."That, of course," he said, with the same gracious smile, "I can hardly tell even to you.Some of the deals are not yet closed, and, as a business man yourself, Mr.Paine, you--""I am not a business man," I interrupted, impatiently."At least, not much of a one.You say there are capitalists behind your scheme.Who are they?"He laid his hand on my knee."Why, that," he said, "is a secret no one is supposed to know.Men--financiers such as we are proud to serve--permit their names to be known only when the corporation is ready to begin actual operations.That is natural enough.If Iwere to mention names--well, some of your Yankee neighbors would want to become millionaires before selling."There was truth in this.I imagine that he guessed he had made an impression, for he went on to shout his praises of the company and the greatness of its plan.He talked and talked; in fact he talked too much.I did not like to hear him.I did not like HIM, that was the trouble.He was too smooth and voluble altogether.And he made a mistake in patting my knee.

"Very well," said I, rising from my chair; "I'll think it over."He was plainly disappointed."I don't wish to hurry you, of course," he said, not moving from his chair, "but we are anxious to close.This is to be cash, remember, and I stand ready to make an offer.I am sure we can reach an agreement, satisfactory to both sides, Mr.Paine.""Perhaps, but I prefer to think the matter over before naming a price or hearing your offer."As a matter of fact I did not intend to sell, or consider selling, until I had discussed the whole affair with Mother.But there was no need to tell him that.

"I am sorry, I confess," he said."I hoped this particular deal might be closed.We have so many of these little details, Mr.

Paine, and time is money.However, if you insist upon it, Ipresume the company will be willing to wait a few days.""I am afraid it will have to."

"Very well, very well.I shall be down again in a day or two.Of course, waiting may have some effect upon the price.To-day I was empowered to...You don't care to hear? Very well.So glad to have met you, Mr.Paine.Of course you will not mention the subject of our interview to anyone.Business secrets, you know.

Thank you, thank you.And I will see you again--Thursday, shall we say?"I refused to say Thursday, principally because he had said it first.I suggested Saturday instead.He agreed, shook hands as if I were an old friend from whom he parted with regret, and left me.

No, I did not like Mr.Keene.He was too polite and too familiar.

And, as I thought over his words, the whole prospectus of the Bay Shore Development Company seemed singularly vague.The proposal to buy my land was definite enough, but the rest of it was, apparently, very much in the air.There was too much secrecy about it.No one was to tell anyone anything.I was glad I had insisted upon time for consideration.I intended to consider thoroughly.