It took thought, and after thought courage; but Duncan hit upon the
solution at length. "Do you know L. J. Bartlett & Company, the
brokers?"
"Do I know J. Pierpont Morgan?"
"Then that's all right. Tell your people to inquire of Harry Kellogg,
the junior partner. He knows all about me."
Noting the name, Sperry put away the envelope. "That's enough. If he
says you're all right, you can have anything you want." He consulted
his watch. "Hmm. Train to catch.... But let's see: what do you need
here?"
Duncan reviewed the empty shelves, his face glowing. "Pills," he said
with a laugh: "all kinds of pills and... everything for a regular,
sure-enough drug-store, Mr. Sperry: everything Sothern and Lee carries
and a lot of attractive things they don't.... Small lots, you know,
until I see what we can sell."
"I see. You leave it to me; I probably know what you need better than
you do. I'll make out a list this afternoon and mail it to-night with
instructions to ship it at the earliest possible moment."
"Splendid!" Duncan told him. "You do that, and don't worry about our
making good. I'm going to put all my time and energy into this
proposition and----"
"Then you'll make good all right," Sperry assured him. "All anybody's
got to do is look at you to see you're a good business man." He
returned Duncan's pressure and picked up his sample-case. "S'long,"
said he, and left briskly, leaving Duncan speechless.
As if to assure himself of his sanity he put a hand to his brow and
stroked it cautiously. "Heavens!" he said, and sought the support of
the counter. "That's twice to-day I've been told that in the same
place!"...
"It's funny," he said, half dazed, "I never could have pulled that off
for myself!"