, 1915-12-09

Iou re Immense, KID" put in Peale.
The N French word was enough to
start up the countess at her best gait.
"Je suis Madame la Comtesse de
Beaurien-je desire parler a Monsieur
martin apropos des a~ffaires du savon
Je voudrais obtenir ragence du sayon
Martin pour la France" she ratified off
In one breath.
wait a minute-wait a minnie "
said Rodney.
What did she say?" asked Mary.
She's a speedy spieler. all right"
said Peale.
Would you mind saying that over.
n say 1t slow?" asked Rodney OF the
countess.
"Eh?" said that lady again.
"oh, repetez ca s'l vous plait-lente-
ment." stumbled Rodney.
"Je suis Madame la Comtesse de
Beaurien-je desire obtenir ragence du
savon Martin pour la France-le peux
bonner cinquante mile francs pour
cette agence."
"oui." said Rodney, quite pleased
with himself, upon which the ~ountes
was off again:
EFT enhn-voulez you arrange cette
affaire pour moi? J'ai beaucoup de
references. Je suis richie; je suis bien
connue a Paris.'
"Wait u m~inute-wait a minute" pro-
tested Rodney. Then, turning to Peale.
he interrupted plausibly: g.
"She wants the agency for fathers
soap for France and is willing to paw
10000 francs for the concession"
How much Is that in real money!
asked Peale quickly.
'Ten thousand dollars" said Rodney.
Had I better tell your father?'' ask
ed Mary. But Rodney had an inspira-
ton.
mo. no! Why not keep father out of
this? Well sell her the agency for
the 10 Soap. That'd be another ten
thousand for us. Peale, she's a gift
from the gods!"
go TO it." said Peale, elated.
But how can you sell her your agen-
cy?' objected the prudent Mary.
81 don't know. How can II" won
dered Rodney.
"If only Marie were here to interpret
for us!' sighed Mary.
The three partners looked at each
other helplessly. They felt as II there
were something lowering around that
ought not to be allowed to get away.
and yet it still eluded them.
81 suppose Marie's the French maid"
said Peale. Doesn't she ever come to
the office? 1t might pay us to send up
for her. Get a taxi. Buy one. to get
$4,000 back on it."
But as luck would have 1t Marie her
self burst through the door at this mo-
ment, ~shrieking violently at the under
secretary in her native gibberish. She
was another gift from heaven, said
Rodney. 1t was the work of a few
minutes to introduce the two compa-
triots and turn them loose on each
other. Rodney bundled them into a
side room so the rest could hear them
selves think. he said. Then he sent
Mary and Peale after them. Mary. on
second thought. to translate Peale's
slang and Marie to put 1t into French.
Suddenly a door opened. and he
started guiltily. but his fears turned
to hope when he saw Mr.. William
Smith coming in. Old Uncle William
Smith. one of the Oldest friends OF the
family, had been one OF tie capital
possibilities he had had In mind
Mr.. Smith was not really an uncle.
but bore that title only by way OF cour-
tesy. Rodney's mother and Mrs. Smith
had beer at school together. and thei
children, in the tender years when the
real and the pretended are not clear TO
them IN the matter of uncles, had al
ways looked upon their elders as re-
lated. Uncle William Smith, when
Rodney was a boy, used to make a
great show Of looking through all his
pockets to see If he had a nickel In
them for him. Would he find anything
now? He would tackle Uncle William
for $4,000. Would he fallf Well, ne
could try.
Peale stuck his head through the door
at this moment to catch Rodney eye
and execute a large n on the whole
encouraging wink apropos OF the
French interview. Rodney gave anoth-
err wink to Peale that said volumes
about Mr.. Smith =,
THAT'S all now, MI. Peale," said
Rodney, raising his voice.
Yes, sir, l understand" said Peale,
winking again. He takes 10000 shares
at par"
Yes, quite right" said Rodney as
Peale's head disappeared.
who the deuce is that. RodT' asked
Mr.. Smith briskly.
ooh, one of my staff," said Rodney
carelessly.
"one of your whatf" asked Mr..
Smith, amazed. -.
my staff; I've gone Into business"
said Rodney.
you've done whatY' asked Mr..
Smith, laughing uproariously.
Gone nto business. I'm IA business