And Selwyn followed them presently, walking until he took the Subway at Forty-second Street for his office.
As he entered the elaborate suite of rooms he noticed some bright new placards dangling from the walls of the general office, and halted to read them: "WHY PAY RENT! What would you say if we built a house for you in Beautiful Siowitha Park and gave you ten years to pay for it! If anybody says YOU ARE A FOOL! to expect this, refer him to us and we will answer him according to his folly.
TO PAY RENT when you might own a home in Beautiful Siowitha Park, is not wise.

We expect to furnish plans, or build after your own plans.
All City Improvements Are Contemplated! Map and Plans of Beautiful Siowitha Park Will probably be ready In the Near Future.
Julius Neergard & Co.
Long Island Real Estate." Selwyn reddened with anger and beckoned to a clerk: "Is Mr.Neergard in his office ?" "Yes, sir, with Mr.Erroll." "Please say that I wish to see him." He went into his own office, pocketed his mail, and still wearing hat and gloves came out again just as Gerald was leaving Neergard's office.
"Hello, Gerald!" he said pleasantly; "have you anything on for to-night ?" "Y-es," said the hoy, embarrassed--"but if there is anything I can do for you--" "Not unless you are free for the evening," returned the other; "are you ?" "I'm awfully sorry--" "Oh, all right.

Let me know when you expect to be free--telephone me at my rooms--" "I'll let you know when I see you here to-morrow," said the boy; but Selwyn shook his head: "I'm not coming here to-morrow, Gerald"; and he walked leisurely into Neergard's office and seated himself.
"So you have committed the firm to the Siowitha deal ?" he inquired coolly.
Neergard looked up--and then past him: "No, not the firm.

You did not seem to be interested in the scheme, so I went on without you.

I'm swinging it for my personal account." "Is Mr.Erroll in it ?" "I said that it was a private matter," replied Neergard, but his manner was affable.
"I thought so; it appears to me like a matter quite personal to you and characteristic of you, Mr.Neergard.And that being established, I am now ready to dissolve whatever very loose ties have ever bound me in any association with this company and yourself." Neergard's close-set black eyes shifted a point nearer to Selwyn's; the sweat on his nose glistened.
"Why do you do this ?" he asked slowly.