Part 31 (1/2)

”I came in to see you about merging the Brightlight Electric Company with the Consolidated, Mr. Burnit,” said Mr. Sharpe in a chatty tone, laying his hat, cane and gloves upon Bobby's desk and seating himself comfortably.

From his face there was no doubt in Mr. Sharpe's mind that this was a mere matter of an interview with a satisfactory termination, for Mr.

Sharpe had done business with Bobby before; but something had happened to Bobby in the meantime.

”When I get ready for a merger of the Brightlight with the Consolidated I'll tell you about it; and also I'll tell you the terms,” Bobby advised him with a snap, and for the first time Mr.

Sharpe noted what a good jaw Bobby had.

”I should think,” hesitated Sharpe, ”that in the present condition of the Brightlight almost any terms would be attractive to you. You have no private consumers now, and your contract for city lighting, which you can not evade except by bankruptcy, is losing you money.”

”If that were news to me it would be quite startling,” responded Bobby, ”but you see, Mr. Sharpe, I am quite well acquainted with the facts myself. Also, I have a strong suspicion that you tampered with my plant; that your hired agents cut my wires, ruined my dynamos and destroyed the efficiency of my service generally.”

”You will find it very difficult to prove that, Mr. Burnit,” said Sharpe, with a sternness which could not quite conceal a lurking smile.

”I'm beginning to like difficulty,” retorted Bobby. ”I do not mind telling you that I was never angry before in my life, and I'm surprised to find myself enjoying the sensation.”

Bobby was still more astonished to find himself laying his fist tensely upon his desk. The lurking smile was now gone entirely from Mr. Sharpe's face.

”I must admit, Mr. Burnit, that your affairs have turned out rather unfortunately,” he said, ”but I think that they might be remedied for you a bit, perhaps. Suppose you go and see Stone.”

”I do not care to see Mr. Stone,” said Bobby.

”But he wants to see you,” persisted Sharpe. ”In fact, he told me so this morning. I'm quite sure you would find it to your advantage to drop over there.”

”I shall never enter Mr. Stone's office until he has vacated it for good,” said Bobby; ”then I might be induced to come over and break up the furniture. If Stone wants to see me I'm keeping fairly regular office hours here.”

”It is not Mr. Stone's habit to go to other people,” bluffed Sharpe, growing somewhat nervous; for it was one of Stone's traits not to forgive the failure of a mission. He had no use for extenuating circ.u.mstances, He never looked at anything in this world but results.

Bobby took down the receiver of his house telephone.

”I'd like to speak to Mr. Jolter, please,” said he.

Sharpe rose to go.

”Just wait a moment, Mr. Sharpe,” said Bobby peremptorily, and Sharpe stopped. ”Jolter,” he directed crisply, turning again to the 'phone, ”kindly step into my office, will you?”

A moment later, while Sharpe stood wondering, Jolter came in, and grinned as he noted Bobby's visitor.

”Mr. Jolter,” asked Bobby, ”have we a good portrait of Mr. Sharpe?”

Jolter, still grinning, stated that they had.

”Have a three-column half-tone made of it for this evening's _Bulletin_.”

Sharpe fairly spluttered.

”Mr. Burnit, if you print my picture in the _Bulletin_ connected with anything derogatory, I'll--I'll--”