"Go twice as far as you like," offered Johnny indifferently." I've
forgotten there ever was a Gamble-Collaton Irrigation Company.
Listen to this, Loring: 'Surmounting the twentieth story of the
magnificent new structure there will be a combined roof garden, cafe
and theater, running continuous vaudeville--'"

"This agreement, entered into this twenty-fifth day of April," began
the discordantly hurried voice of Loring. He was dictating to his
stenographer a much more comprehensive agreement than a mere power
of attorney; and as soon, as it was ready Johnny signed it without a
question.

"Get this, Ashley?" he remarked, handing back Loring's pen and
reading gleefully from another paper: "'A subway entrance into the
new terminal station is being negotiated--'"

"All right," said Loring, putting on his hat. "Good-by!"--and he was
gone.

If Loring professed but slight interest in the flamboyant plans for
the new hotel, there were others who were painfully absorbed in the
news of the project. Gresham, for one, read the account with
contracted brows at his late breakfast; and at noon, inspired by a
virtuous sense of duty, he sauntered over to Courtney's club.

"I see you're involved in another hotel proposition," he ventured.

"I hope involved is not the word," returned Courtney with rather a
wry smile.