“It goes,” replied the representative of the family concisely.

Across the cafe table Dr. Surtaine contemplated his old acquaintance with friendly interest.

“The same old scrappy Elpy,” he observed.  “What’s happened to you, since you used to itinerate with the Iroquois Extract of Life?”

“Plenty.”

“You’re looking pretty prosperous.”

“Have to, in my line.”

“What is it?”

Mr. McQuiggan produced a card, with the legend:—­

+-----------------------------------------+
|                                         |
|          McQuiggan & Straight           |
|     STREAKY MOUNTAIN COPPER COMPANY     |
|        Orsten, Palas County, Nev.       |
|                                         |
|                                         |
| L.P.  MCQUIGGAN       ARTHUR STRAIGHT    |
|   President     Vice-Pres. & Treas. |
|                                         |
+-----------------------------------------+

“Any good?” queried the Doctor.

“Best undeveloped property in the State.”

“Why don’t you develop it?”

“Capital.”

“Get the capital.”

“Will you help me?”

“Sure.”

“How?”

“Advertise.”

“Advertising costs money.”

“And brings two dollars for every one you spend.”

“Maybe,” retorted the other, with a skeptical air.  “But my game is still talk.”

“Talk gets dimes; print gets dollars,” said his friend sententiously.

“You have to show me.”

“Show you!” cried the Doctor.  “I’ll write your copy myself.”

“You will?  What do you know about mining?”

“Not a thing.  But there isn’t much I don’t know about advertising.  I’ve built up a little twelve millions, plus, on it.  And I can sell your stock like hot cakes through the ‘Clarion.’”

“What’s the ’Clarion’?”

“My son’s newspaper.”

“Thereby keeping the graft in the family, eh?”

“Don’t be a fool, Elpy.  I’m showing you profits.  Besides doing you a good turn, I’d like to bring in some new business to the boy.  Now you take half-pages every other day for a week and a full page Sunday—­”

“Pages!” almost squalled the little man.  “D’you think I’m made of money?”

“Elpy,” said Dr. Surtaine, abruptly, “do you remember my platform patter?”

“Like the multiplication table.”

“Was it good?”

“Best ever!”

“Well, I’m a slicker proposition with a pen than I ever was with a spiel.  And you’re securing my services for nothing.  Come around to the office, man, and let me show you.”

Still suspicious, Mr. McQuiggan permitted himself to be led away, expatiating as he went, upon the unrivaled location and glorious future of his mining property.  From time to time, Dr. Surtaine jotted down an unostentatious note.