f-fact Phil.

"Did I? Sure I did! I've sold old Eddie Farleigh's sixty acres for
thirty thousand dollars cash--one of the best orchards in the Valley.
The old fellow is coming in to-morrow morning to close the deal."

"But can you deliver the goods? We really haven't the listing of it.
It is one of Peter Brixton's."

"We'll make a bold try at it. Thirty thousand dollars is Peter's
listed price, and old Eddie got the property years ago for a song. I
happen to know he is extremely anxious to clean up and go to his
daughter at the Coast.

"Five per cent of thirty thousand dollars is fifteen hundred dollars.
Peter is a good-natured sort. He isn't going to turn down half or even
a third of that commission."

Jim took up the telephone and got into communication with Peter
Brixton then and there.

"Hullo! 276? This is the Langford-Ralston Company. That you, Peter?"

"Yes!"

"Have just been commissioned by eastern capital to purchase a sixty
acre ranch. Got anything in sight?"

"Yes!--there's the Metford Place on the B.X."

"No good, Peter! They want it in the Coldcreek district. I have
several good prospects in view, but I rather fancy Eddie Farleigh's
ranch. I hear it is up for sale."

"It is too!"

"What does he want for it?"

"Thirty thousand,--a third cash, the balance in twelve and twenty-four
months!"

"Uhm! She's kind of high. Still,--it might be worth considering. What
commission do you want out of it?"

"It's a five per cent deal, and I'm willing to split it with you;--if
you'll do the same when the shoe's on the other foot."

Peter did not tell Jim that the actual price set by Farleigh was
twenty-eight thousand dollars and whatever could be got above that
figure would be reckoned as the broker's commission.

Jim thought for a moment. Again the voice came.

"Or I'll take a third and you get two-thirds. I'll get the double
portion any time I sell any of yours."

"That's a go!--the agent who sells gets two-thirds of the commission.
Well!--run down, Peter, and give me the exact lay-out and maybe we
can close the deal. I want to put the sale through first thing in
the morning and it has to show as coming direct through the
Langford-Ralston Company."

"Right! I'll come now," answered Brixton, putting up the receiver.

Jim's grin was a treat to behold as he jumped up and caught Phil by
both arms.

"Two-thirds of fifteen hundred dollars,--one thousand dollars! Oh,
boy!--we're on the upgrade alr