-I'm not a piker, and I mean to show Fate that I can handle the
job. To do so I must have the advice of a man who knows the game. I want
a man who can look over a bond issue, or whatever it is, and tell me
at a glance whether it's spavined or wind-broken. I want a man who can
sense out the legal badger-holes, and who won't let me gallop over a
cutbank. I want a man who has not only brains to back up his muscle, but
who also has muscle to back up his brains. To be quite frank, I didn't
think you were the man. I had no doubt you had the legal ability, or you
wouldn't be guiding the affairs of this five-cylinder firm, but I was
afraid you didn't have the fight in you. I picked a quarrel with you to
find out, and you showed me, for which I am much obliged. By the way,
how do you do it?"

Before answering Mr. Jones got up, walked around behind his desk,
unlocked a drawer and produced a box of cigars.

"That's a mistake you Westerners make," he remarked, when they had
lighted up. "You think the muscle is all out there, just as some
Easterners will admit that the brains are all down here. Both are wrong.
Life at a desk calls for an antidote, and two nights a week keep me in
form. I wrestled a bit when I was a boy, but I haven't had a chance to
try out my skill in a long while. I rather welcomed the opportunity."

"I noticed that. Well--what's she worth?"

Mr. Jones ruminated. "I wouldn't care to break with the firm," he said
at length. "There are family ties as well as those of business. A year's
leave of absence might be arranged. By that time you would be safe in
your saddle. By the way, do you propose to hire all your staff by the
same test?"

Grant smiled. "I don't expect to hire any more staff. I presume there is
already a complete organization, doubtless making money for me at this
very moment. I will not interfere except when necessary, but I want a
man like you to tell me when it is necessary."

Terms were agreed upon, and Mr. Jones asked only the remainder of the
week to clean up important matters on hand. Telegrams were despatched to
Mr. David Barrett, senior, and Mr. David Barrett, junior, and Jones in
some way managed to convey the delicate information to young Mr. Barrett
that a morning appearance on his part would henceforth be essential.
Grant decided to fill in the interval with a little fishing expedition.
He was determined that he would not so much as call at the office of
Grant & Son until Jones could