“ ‘Very likely not. It has been kept very quiet, for the capital was all privately subscribed, and it’s too good a thing to let the public into. My brother, Harry Pinner, is promoter, and joins the board after allotment as managing director. He knew I was in the swim down here, and asked me to pick up a good man cheap. A young, pushing man with plenty of snap about him. Parker spoke of you, and that brought me here tonight. We can only offer you a beggarly five hundred to start with.’

“ ‘Five hundred a year!’ I shouted.

“ ‘Only that at the beginning; but you are to have an overriding commission of one percent on all business done by your agents, and you may take my word for it that this will come to more than your salary.’

“ ‘But I know nothing about hardware.’

“ ‘Tut, my boy; you know about figures.’

“My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in my chair. But suddenly a little chill of doubt came upon me.