"Oh! Sorry, sir. My error."
He fitted Jeff with a neat blue serge suit, a white shirt, a modest but
smart tie, a pair of socks, and new shoes. Jeff took his old clothes
back to the Kennard, wrapped one of Barr Whitney's knives, thrust it
into his inside coat pocket and went out. His trap was set and scented.
Now he had to see if he would catch anything.
There were four sporting goods stores still on his list, but Jeff passed
the first because its windows were dirty and the second because it
advertised a bargain sale. But the third seemed to offer what he wanted.
He asked the friendly clerk who came forward, "Is Mr. Ryerson in?"
"No, he isn't. But Mr. Calworth is."
"May I see him?"
"This way."
Jeff followed the clerk down the aisle and examined the store closely as
he did so. The fire arms, fishing tackle and other sporting equipment
displayed on the counters was all of quality make and he hadn't been
asked for an appointment, so evidently this store catered to sportsmen
able to afford the best and at the same time it was not overly formal.
The clerk ushered him into an office and Jeff's hopes rose.
"Mr. Calworth," the clerk said, "this gentleman wants to see you."
"My name's Tarrant," Jeff shook Mr. Calworth's extended hand, "Jeff
Tarrant, and I'd hoped you'd be kind enough to furnish me with some
information."
"Sit down, Mr. Tarrant."
Mr. Calworth was middle-aged, and a sprinkling of gray showed in his
black hair. But there was a sparkle in his eyes, an ease of movement and
callouses on his hands. Obviously he did something besides sit at a
desk, and Jeff guessed shrewdly that he was an outdoor enthusiast
himself. Jeff took the proffered chair and draped himself carelessly,
but not too carelessly, upon it.
"I represent Tarrant Enterprises," Jeff almost added the Ltd., but
caught himself in time. "We may wish to expand."
"Are you in sporting goods?"
"Partly."
"And you're considering Ackerton?"
"Yes and no. That's what I hope to decide."
"There's plenty of room, Mr. Tarrant."
"But how much _good_ room?"
Mr. Calworth laughed. "I'll tell you frankly. There are a variety of
sporting goods stores, but Ryerson and Hapley split forty-five per cent
of the trade and ninety per cent of the most desirable trade. However,
there is no reason why an aggressive newcomer should not do very well."
Jeff bent forward. "Is there a survey--Oh!" Purposely arranged to do so,
the knife in his pocket had slipped and thrust the front of his new coat
outward. Grinning his embarrassment, Jeff took the knife from his pocket
and balanced it on his knee.