The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-16

mixture OF apology and defiance.
That. IS The figure, gentlemen"
''But-but we don't want to buy itr'
said Penrose more calmly. The whole
outfit can't be worth more than that"
The property is valued at 100000
gentlemen. Within five years II wiII
be worth five times that"
We'll. that may be, too" Fayles put
In. "But $1,000 you know. is"
Il didn't make the price, sir. That
was fixed by the oNner"
An uncomfortable pause followed.
Then Penrose remarked:
4 had understood that Il was an ex-
pensive place to rent. but had no idea
that such a figure could be asked
The rental has been $4,000 until
recently
And what changed .t?"
The orders % the owner" said Mr..
Henderson smoothly.
Penrose was scowling. II was all Ut
terly outrageous. OF course, yet as
compared with five human lives the
expenditure seemed small. indeed.
II II cost something over 81 .OOl 10
see the place. Il might be dear and II
might be cheap; at all events. he de-
cided 10 risk IL.
That Is pretty steep" he said slow
". AT the same time. I should like,
10 see the place. Even at that figure. I
believe that We can do business. Let
US go and look over the property"
Now henderson glanced at him
uneasily and looked away again.
''Of course"
''Well-er-there mas been another
rather peculiar condition imposed by
the owner in that connection"
so heard" Penrose replied
smoothly. 1T was that a months rent
must be paid before the property is
even Inspected. Very well. sir. l am
prepared TO meet It."
henderson. thinking perhaps OF the
seven fathouses. faced him with
little pain and much wonder. This was.
palpaoly. either a human gold mine
or an irresponsible lunatic.
''That-that condition. too. has been
changed. my dear sir" he said awk-
wsrdly.
In what way?"
ITO the effect that before entering
the grounds one fun years rent must
have been paid in advance. or $1,000
Fifty h0usand-dolIars, both
men cried.
Henderson, neglectlnE to look at
them. nodded slightly.
Penrose perched upon the edge Of
the desk. Fayles. with a grunt. sought
a chair, md together they looked at
perhaps the most remarkable real
estate dealer in the city
r. nc-1.r...- ia
" You. as a business man must see
the utter absurdity OF such q PROPOSE
tion.'
1 did not frame the conditions. sir"
But how on earth is any one to
know what's in the placer Penrose
interposed. Fer my part. I like what
I've seen, but" He found himself
Numbering, in the attempt 10 create
an effect OF plausiDility.
VINO put such ncnsens icai restric-
lions on the renting OF the place.
Fayles inquired.
The owner Of the house. OF course.
lie happens 10 be at liberty 10 do as he
pleases with his own property"
Doubtless; but where can We see
himg''
lie is not to be seen
why uot?'
For his own reasons. I presume.
said Henderson crisply.
Then viii You submit Z, him an
offer from mc?" Peurose inquired
'Assuredly. II you wish It" The
real estate man smiled. 4 can tell Won
now. however, with absolute certainty.
that any lower 1gure or any other cen
n
all circumstances"
That's positive enough Fayles
remarked dryly. after a moment.
Another pause followed in the re-
markable interview, broken by Pen
rose.
Mr.. Henderson. can't you tell us
why the man places such an absurd
value upon his property"
Il certainly cannot"
Because you don't know
Exactly. I am here TO obey orders.
not 10 question them"
But you've got some curiosity?'
Fayles urged. more warmly. You're
not made Of marble, are you? You've
spent some time specializing why an
ordinary, CT reasonably ordinary.
suburban place should be offered at a
rental that represents the interest on
a million or 50? You've made inquiries.
haven't you. and you've tried to find
oute'
We'll, il did. sir"
You succeeded in finding OUT
Benderson's face was a peculiar
study. From it usual pink 1t REDEEMED.
as he searched for an appropriate an
swer' then it crimsoned, slowly to cool
down Cnce more. Plainly. il seemed.
he was in mere or less of a corner. and
plainly. even before he spoke. they per
ceived that he was about TO take
refuge behind a terrific assumption OF
offended dignity and bruskness.
He sat down behind his desk and
scowled ponderously as he picked up
his pen
Gentlemen ne said frigidIy. Il
am not in the habi; OF being questioned
IS to my clients, far less as to my pri-