Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 164: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

’ gteleee tots an nereee By M. M. SOLOMON propped his feet on the desk before him. Leaning back he gave himself up to pleasant reflections. He had scarcely settled when there came a firm rap at the door. As he did not stir the knock was re- peated vigorously. At the languid “Come in” the door opened and a young man entered. The newcomer was a stranger to Dawson, who mentally sized him up as a prospective cus- tomer. Characteristic of Dawson, he made no mistake in his calculation. ‘““T believe you’re Mr. Dawson?” asked the young man, advancing and holding out his hand. “That’s me,” nodded Dawson, shaking hands. ‘ What can I do for you?” ‘A great deal I hope,” was the smiling answer. ‘‘ Stanton is my name. Howard Stanton. I represent the Langley Motor Company; doubtless you’ve heard of them. I understand that you own quite a bit of land around here. I am looking for a fa- vorable site for an assembly plant, prefer- ably in this immediate section. I was re- ferred to you as one who probably would have something to offer us. We are very anxious to secure a location as soon as pos- [) pee sighed complacently and sible. We’re hoping to begin actual con- struction within the next thirty days.” As the representative of the Langley Company spoke Dawson regarded him steadily. Did he have anything to offer? Well, rather. Instantly he recalled half a dozen locations he would gladly have sold long ago for a mere pittance. However, he shook his head slowly at Stanton. “Well, I don’t exactly know,” he said after a time. “If you had been here soon- er I might have been able to do something for you. As it is now, I’ve about closed a deal with a concern for almost everything I own around here. It’s some kind of a manufacturing business, and their repre- sentative told me they would employ over a thousand men. Said they wanted to put up five or six plants. In fact, they want all the land they can get.” His keen eye saw the look of disappoint- ment spread over the visitor’s face. He chuckled inwardly, though he looked at Stanton seriously. Had his words about closing a deal for all his land been true, Stanton would never have found George Dawson in the little town of Winchester. For years he had been looking anxiously. for an opportunity to dispose of his prop- 799 COMmiclboooks (C@