Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-01-07
V.
HONEST MAN AND KNAvE.

had known him so long, realized
that he was seriously put out about
something. At such times there was
only one way to handle the steel mag
nate-that way was absolute obedience
and prompt replies to his questions.
Pinckney became all attention at once.
"Yes. sir. What is it," he asked.
Durant consulted the paper in his
hand.
THE royalty on this Rhinestrom
gun" he asked-"am l correctly in
formed about it?"
How much did you think 1t WASP"
asked the manager.
according to the papers. we pay a
royalty of $4,000 for every gun six
inches or under and $1,000 an inch ex-
ira for every one over six. So for
these twelve inch guns we are to forge
we must pay $4,000 each"
That's correct. sir" said Pinc2ney.
"lt's too much" declared t/e steel
magnate sharply.
His manager ventured a protesting
gesture.
Il wrote you." he said. land cabled
you before | signed the contract. 1t
was too risky waiting until your re-
turIA''
9. don't see why exclaimed Du-
rant impatiently. II think you've
made a mistake his time. Edward-a
Pgave mistake. That royalty | consider
outrageous"
The manager had to make a fight.
Pm very sorry. sir" he said apollo
l%gehteally, but you know | have our
ID frest at heart. and ii seemed to me
r6enH tnr1g that cUuid ne done. f5u
have trusted my judgment. had to
exercise it. The government liked this
gun, and it meant an order that will
keep us busy for a year. If we con
trolled the patents they were obliged
to give us the contracts. There was
nc competition, you see. n then our
price to the government leaves us a
very fair profit even after this big roy
atty is paid"
Durant shook his head.
Penny wise. pound foolish. l think
it, Edward. To make a profit we have
to charge the government a tremen.
dous price that doesn't help our future
business. 1t will give us a black eye
wnen we want work next time"
well. I'm sorry. sir" said Pinckney
alphabetically. II was working only
for the best. / wanted to insure oul
contract with the government. AS il
is, you see. we do not begin work fol
two months. and there'll be a lot OF
wire pulling and hauling first"
Durant nodded.
"Yes, If they find a gun they like
better they can countermand our or
der"
Pinckney hesitated. He felt he haC
to go cautiously. but it would not dc
to let Mr.. Durant guess his hand.
Yes" he said slowly. this fellow
Sommers Is here to AVE a gun forged
that he's invented. He's got some pull
at Washington. I'm certain of that"
Don't see what difference thai
Makes" replied the steel man.
"Oh." protested the manager. sup
pose after they test the Sommers CUR
they give it preference over the Rhine
strom gun and countermand our or
der"
Durant nodded, pleased.
Il wish they would" be said. ave
could still get the business and not
gouge the government. Sommers is an
officer In the navy and can claim nc
royalty. 1t would reduce the cost OF
every twelve incl gun $12, 1000"
Pinckney bowed In agreement, then
suggested:
You are partly right, Mr.. Durant,
but If they took his gun there would
be no certainty about our getting the
order. We would have to compete in
the open, and some one might under
bid u.s."
I'VE can't help that" replied his
chief. "Is Sommers' gun better than
ouFs?"
Pinckney looked up Indignantly.
"Of course not" he exclaimed. "but
sommers has influence. and l do moi
trust him. l think he'd be capable OF
any dirty trick to have our gun turned
down"
Durant laid his hand on the young
managers arm in kindly fashion.
Now. now. Edward" he said NEAR
ingly. Il like your enthusiasm; it's
good for the business. but you must
not let your enthusiasm lead you to
foolish hatred. This young Sommers
seems to me to be a very decent sort
Of young fellow. / never saw him be-
fore tonight. but l was quite fayorably
impressed. Frances also seems to like
him very much"
. you've noticed that, too, have