e and I am going to have half a dozen
lumber camps operating south, and further up, for the next few years.
Some of them are going full steam ahead now.

"They require a convenient store, where they can get supplies; grub,
oil, gasoline, hardware and such like. I need a man who could look
after a proposition of that kind,--good. The settlers would find a
store up there a perfect god-send.

"The property at Golden Crescent is easily got at and is the most
central to all my places. Now, having an eye to business, and with
Eileen's consent, I have decided to convert the large front living-room
of her bungalow into a store. It is plain, and can't be hurt. It's
just suited for the purpose. I have had some carpenters up there this
past week, putting in a counter and shelves and shutting the new store
off completely from the rest of the house.

"A stock of groceries, hardware, etc., has already been ordered from
the wholesalers and should be up there in a few days.

"Steamers pass Golden Crescent twice a week. When they have anything
for you, they whistle and stand by out in the bay; when you want them,
you hoist a white flag on the pole, on the rock, at the end of the
little wharf; then you row out and meet them.

"These are the main features, George. Oh, yes! I'm paying one hundred
dollars a month and all-found to the right man."

He stopped and looked over at me a little anxiously.

"George!--will you take the job?"

"What about those other poor beggars who have applied?" I asked.

"There you are again," he exclaimed impatiently. "They had the same
chance as you had. Didn't I even keep you waiting out there till I had
seen them in turn. Not one of them has the qualifications you have. I
want a man with a brain as well as a body."

"But you don't know me, Mr. Horsfal. I have no friends, no
testimonials; and I might be,--why! I might be the biggest criminal
unhung."

"Testimonials be blowed! Who wants testimonials? Any dub can get
them. As for the other part,--do you think K. B. Horsfal of Baltimore,
U. S. A., by this time, doesn't know a man after he has been a whole
day in his company?

"Sonny, take it from me,--there are mighty few American business men,
who have topped a million dollars, who don't know a man through and
through in less time than that, and without asking very many questions,
either. Why, man!--that's their business; that's what makes their
millions."

There was no resist