Part 31 (2/2)
With elastic step he set out for the wholesale district imbued with a spirit of rosy optimism The Western was first on his list The chances were he would have to go no farther A short talk with Mr Eby, the resident er, convinced hiory,” that gentleman had crisply oods at fully ten per cent less”
Gregory was greatly surprised McCoy, he knew, had figured a bed-rock, cash price and the extreme lowness of the quotation offered the Western was influenced solely by the possibility of a quick sale in straight car lots And still theure?” he asked
Mr Eby hesitated It was to his interest to stiure quoted was below cost was nothing to hiht result in still lower quotations which would give hireater profit
”Certainly not,” he answered ”The figure quoted ory felt his face growing hot under the influence of Mr Eby's exasperating sure is below cost and you know it,” he said bluntly
The er continued to smile ”Possibly,” he affirmed ”From your view-point Your cost and theirs her than theirs for one thing, and your system, in ory's anger mounted at the man's tone
”What do you know about ed
”It is our business to keep in close touch with our custo you a friendly tip to do aith some of your more or less impractical ideas, and put your business on a plane with others You can take it for what it's worth”
Gregory curbed his anger and started for the door
”My idea is working out all right, Mr Eby,” he said in parting ”And you are going to live to see you've overlooked a good bet”
Eby laughed ”Go to it, young man,” he said ”You'll just have to live and learn like the rest of us When you get down to earth again, come in and see us”
Soht the other jobbers
But at every place of business he was met by evasions and superficial excuses Brown & Brown had heard he had gone out of business on account of ill-health Possibly they would send a htened out The Eureka people were overstocked and, on account of shortage of cars, were not buying anyand would do nothing until their plans were completed Others intimated they would submit bids if he cared to sell at auction and sonment But from no firm did he receive even a conditional order
The various interviews had a depressing effect upon Gregory's spirits
Weakened by his illness, he decided to call it a day and tackle the few reht the hotel he re on the _Daily Ti fool and had always been an optimistic chap In his present fraly he called Hawkins up and invited him to dinner
Soory's rooain, hly covered
”And so now you are a full-fledged business , as the talk turned to the present, surveying Gregory through the haze of his cigarette
”Yes And from the way it looks now I' jobbers”
Hawkins s to it,” he said ”You've overlooked two big things, that's all When we get the that Hawkins expected no reply, Gregory waited for hio on
”Your idea is bully I can't see any reason why it won't work out all right But in order to ot to stir up the ani to be done is to capitalize it Why withhold it from the public? They would be interested Let them in on it”