cheme of improvement, and it was for this that he wished to talk to
Eugene.

CHAPTER III

The matter was not difficult to arrange. Before Winfield had gone ten
sentences, Eugene began to take the ideas out of his mind.

"I know something of that property," he said, studying a little outline
map which Winfield had prepared. "I've been out there duck shooting with
Colfax and some others. It's fine property, there's no doubt of it. How
much do they want for it?"

"Well, as a matter of fact, I already own it," said Winfield. "It cost
me sixty thousand dollars five years ago when it was a vast,
inaccessible swamp. Nothing has been done to it since, but I will turn
it over to the company for what it is worth now--two hundred thousand
dollars--and take a mortgage for my protection. Then the company can do
what it pleases with it; but as president, of course, I should direct
the line of development. If you want to make a fortune and have fifty
thousand dollars to spare, here is your chance. This land has increased
in value from sixty to two hundred thousand dollars in five years. What
do you fancy it will be worth in ten years from now the way New York is
growing? It has pretty near four million people now. In twenty-five
years it is safe to say that there will be fourteen or fifteen millions
scattered over this territory which lies within twenty-five miles. Of
course, this is thirty-two miles away on a direct line, but what of it?
The Long Island Railroad will be glad to put a spur in there which would
bring this territory within one hour of the city. Think of it--one of
the finest beaches on the Atlantic Ocean within one hour of New York! I
expect to interest Mr. Wiltsie, the President of the Long Island, very
heavily in this property. I come to you now because I think your
advertising and artistic advice are worth something. You can take it or
leave it, but before you do anything, I want you to come out and look
over the property with me."

All told, in stocks, land, free money in the banks, and what he might
save in a year or two, Eugene had about fifty thousand dollars of good
hard cash which he could lay his hands on at a pinch. He was well
satisfied that Winfield was putting before him one of those golden
opportunities which, prudently managed, would make him a rich man.
Nevertheless, his fifty thousand was fifty thousand, and he had it.
Never again, however, once this other thing was under way, if it were