Part 26 (2/2)
”Now,” began the New Yorker with a swift change of subject, ”let us get down to business. How are we going to work this thing? You must coach me. I gather I am being employed on quite a delicate mission. My instructions are to come in here as a friend of yours and the Galbraiths, and without raising the suspicion that I have much of any knowledge about boats, I am to help get this invention into workable shape. Any parts we lack, any drawings we wish made, any materials we need I have authority to procure from our Long Island plant. There is to be no stint as to expense. The enterprise is to be carried through to the finish properly.”
Robert Morton gasped.
”I had no idea Mr. Galbraith meant to go into it to such lengths,” he murmured.
”Oh, Mr. Galbraith never does things by halves when once he is interested,” was the reply. ”Besides, he has a hunter's scent for the commercial. He says there is a live idea here that has money in it, and that's enough for him. Anyway, whether there is or not,” Snelling added hurriedly, ”we are to humor the old gentleman's whims and get his idea so he can handle it.”
”It is tremendously generous of Mr. Galbraith.”
Howard Snelling regarded his companion quizzically for a moment, then remarked with gravity:
”Oh, there is a kind heart in Mr. Galbraith, in spite of all his business instincts.”
”Had you ever met the rest of the family before now?” questioned Bob more with a desire to turn the channel of conversation than because he had any interest in the matter.
The inquiry, idly made, produced an unexpected result, visibly throwing the expert out of his imperturbable composure; he flushed, stammered, and bit his lip before he successfully conquered his confusion:
”I--eh--oh, yes,” was his reply. ”I've been a dinner guest at the New York house several times; been sent for on a pinch to help out. Then Mr. Galbraith summons me there occasionally for consultation on business matters. The Belleport place is attractive, isn't it?”
”It's corking!”
”I suppose you spend a lot of time over there,” ventured Snelling, lighting a gold-tipped Egyptian cigarette and offering Bob one.
Something in the question, he could not have told what, caused Robert Morton to dart a quick, furtive glance at the speaker.
Mr. Snelling was smoking and blowing indifferently into the air filmy rings of smoke, but through it the disconcerted young man encountered his penetrating gaze.
”I don't get over there very often,” said Bob. ”This invention keeps me rather busy.”
”Of course, of course!” was the cordial response. ”And now as to our policy on this deal. I shall follow your lead, understand. Any a.s.sertion you see fit to make you can trust me to swear to. You may introduce me to the old chap as your college pal, even your long-lost brother, if you choose.”
”I hardly think that will be necessary,” Robert Morton answered, a hint of coldness in his voice. ”I shall simply introduce you for what you are, Mr. Galbraith's friend--”
”And yours,” smiled Mr. Snelling, graciously placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.
It was unaccountable, absurd, that Bob should have shrunk at the touch; nevertheless he did so.
”Don't you think,” he replied abruptly, ”that the sooner we go in and get to work the better? How long do you expect to be able to stay here?”
Again the color crept into Snelling's cheek, but this time he was quite master of himself.
”I cannot tell yet. It will depend to some extent on how we get on.”
”I suppose you really can't be spared from the Long Island plant a great while.”
”As to that, Mr. Galbraith is all-powerful,” was his smiling answer.
”What he wills must be arranged. Fortunately just now business is running slack, at least my part of it is. Most of our contracts are well on the way to completion and others can carry them out, so I can stay down here as long as is necessary. It can go as my vacation, if worst comes to worst. Hence you see,” concluded he, pulling a spray of honeysuckle to pieces, ”we don't need to rush things.”
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