“It’s only a matter of closing the deal,” Johnny told her with a perfectly justifiable smile which Constance, from a distance, criticized severely.  He drew an envelope from his pocket and took from it a paper which he passed to Mr. Slosher.

It was a written offer from the De Luxe Apartments Company for three hundred thousand dollars.

“That makes my offer, then—­at five per cent, advance—­three hundred and fifteen thousand,” figured Slosher.  “Is that a bargain?”

Johnny, glancing contentedly about the big inclosure, saw Jim Guff waiting impatiently for a chance to speak with him.

“It’s a bargain,” he agreed, and pretty little Mrs. Slosher nodded her head vehemently with innocent joy.

Gresham passed them by and tipped his hat to Mrs. Slosher, including Mr. Slosher in the greeting.  A pleasant idea struck Johnny.

“You scarcely intend to build your colored apartment-house under your own name?” he suggested.

“Indeed, no!” laughed Mrs. Slosher happily.  “All we wish is the result.  We ask for no credit.”

“Moreover,” warned Mr. Slosher, “I wouldn’t care to have my purpose known until after I have sold my own residence.  I am a little worried, however, about the detail you suggest.  No man of any consequence would injure the good will of his fellows by standing sponsor for such a venture.”

“I think I know your man,” stated Gamble with pleasant anticipation.  “I’ll tell you about him if you’ll be careful not to let him or anybody else know that I recommended him.”

“I can figure out sufficient reasons for that,” replied Slosher.  “Is he reliable?”

“He can give you security—­and I suppose you had better exact it,” advised Johnny.  “He is the man who first secured the option from Miss Purry.”

“What is his name?”

“Collaton,” and Johnny gazed serenely after Gresham.

“I’ll send for him in the morning,” decided Mr. Slosher.

When Johnny returned to the violet booth he found there Winnie and Sammy Chirp, the latter with all his pockets and both his arms full of Winnie’s purchases and personal belongings, inextricably mixed with similar articles belonging to Polly; and there was a new note of usefulness which redeemed somewhat the feebleness of his smile.  Loring was helping Sammy to adjust his burdens; and Winnie, with the aid of the mirror in her vanity box, was trying the effect of violets close to her eyes.  Johnny waited patiently for Loring to get through and then, despite Polly’s protest, dragged him away.

“I’ve arranged for the first dent in Gresham and Collaton,” he announced, and outlined the program which later on was carried out to the letter.  “I’ve fixed to have some valuable property placed in Collaton’s name, with Gresham as security.  When that is done I want you to go to Jacobs and play a mean trick on him.  Make him serve that attachment on Collaton’s ostensible property.  Collaton, having confessed judgment on the note, can not fight it—­and Gresham will have to foot the bill.”