They were firm; I was firm; and so the affair came to nothing.' 'The agreed price was satisfactory ?' 'Quite.' 'May I ask what the price was ?' 'Are you a buyer, Mr Racksole ?' 'Are you a seller, Mr Babylon ?' 'I am,' said Babylon, 'on terms.

The price was four hundred thousand pounds, including the leasehold and goodwill.

But I sell only on the condition that the buyer does not transfer the property to a limited company at a higher figure.' 'I will put one question to you, Mr Babylon,' said the millionaire.
'What have your profits averaged during the last four years ?' 'Thirty-four thousand pounds per annum.' 'I buy,' said Theodore Racksole, smiling contentedly; 'and we will, if you please, exchange contract-letters on the spot.' 'You come quickly to a resolution, Mr Racksole.

But perhaps you have been considering this question for a long time ?' 'On the contrary,' Racksole looked at his watch, 'I have been considering it for six minutes.' Felix Babylon bowed, as one thoroughly accustomed to eccentricity of wealth.
'The beauty of being well-known,' Racksole continued, 'is that you needn't trouble about preliminary explanations.

You, Mr Babylon, probably know all about me.