body has simply got to wait until then. And so this," going to
Carmen and taking her hand, "is the wonderful little girl! Well!
well!"

The entrance of Mrs. Ketchim and her troop of children at this
juncture interrupted the conversation. "All enthusiastic Simiti
stockholders," said Ketchim, waving his hand toward them, after the
introductions. "And all going to get rich out of it, too--as well as
yourselves, boys. It simply shows how Providence works--one with God
is a majority, always."

Carmen glanced up at him wonderingly.

Dinner over, the men were left alone. Carmen had been taken upstairs
by the children to the nursery.

"I've got myself slated for the presidency of the new company," said
Ketchim, plunging again into the subject nearest his heart; "and I
think we'd better put brother James in as vice-president. Perfectly
safe," looking at Harris and winking. "He's got to be recognized, you
know, since the Ketchim Realty Company act as fiscal agents. Now for
directors I've put down Judge Harris, your father--that's to assure
you boys that there'll be some one to look after your interests. Then
we'll say Reverend Jurges for another. He's got a big congregation and
will be able to place a lot of stock. You just ought to see the letter
he wrote me about selling stock to his people! You'd never believe he
was a good, spiritually-minded clergyman, with an eye single to
heavenly riches! Then one of you fellows, say Reed, had better go on
the directorate, since Harris will be in Colombia in charge of
operations. And--well, Cass, too. He's young and immature, but
absolutely square. He'll do all the legal work for his stock interest.
We save money that way, see?"

"But what do I do while we are waiting?" asked Harris in some
perplexity. "Reed goes to California right away, you know."

"That's all right, old man," Ketchim genially assured him. "The new
company will be organized at once--this week, if possible. You go on
salary from the moment of its incorporation, and you open your office
right here in this building. I'll see that the rent is paid until you
go back to Colombia. Everything's arranged, and you turn right in and
help Cass with the new company. There'll be plenty to do. You've got
to prepare circulars; write boosting letters to stockholders and
prospects; follow up leads; and--oh, you'll be busy! But here comes
Reverend Coles," looking out of the window as a man came up the steps.
"He's interested in som