"I'll meet any offer he makes you and tack a five-thousand-dollar
bonus to it."

Johnny called up the De Luxe Apartments. Company and secured the ear
of Mr. Chase.

"I withdraw my offer of two hundred and seventy-five thousand for
that river-view property," he stated." What is the best bid you will
make me above that figure?"

"I'm not inclined to scramble for it," immediately claimed Mr.
Chase, who was aware at the time that he was telling a point-blank
lie.

"Very well, then," said Johnny, wondering how he was to get a
definite figure without committing himself. "I'll have to drop you
out of my calculations."

"When must you know?"

"To-morrow morning."

"You're bluffing!" charged Mr. Chase scornfully.

"I have two very earnest bidders for the property," insisted Johnny
with dignity--and completed his bluff, if Chase cared to regard it
that way, by hanging up his receiver.

Before he left the office he entered in his books: