could reach the inquirer's side and be properly introduced
--I did not want to interfere too abruptly--
Mawkum had not only unrolled the elevation and
cross-sections, but had handed out a memorandum
showing the estimate of cost.

Onativia acknowledged my presence with a slight
bob of his head, loosened the upper button of his
coat, fished up a pair of glasses, stuck them on the
knob end of his nose, and began devouring the plans
in a way that showed both of us that it was not the
first time he had looked over a set of blue-prints.

"This estimate is for the ironwork alone," the
stranger said, "and is, as you see, good for three
months. The time, as you will note, has expired. Do
you now ask for an additional sum, or will the price
stand?" All this in the tone of a Tombs lawyer
cross-examining a witness.

Mawkum murmured that, as there had been no
advance in the cost of the raw material, the price
would stand.

"Very well. And now, what, in your judgment,
should be added for the cost of erection?"

"Can't say," answered Mawkum; "don't know the
coast or kind of labor, or the bottom of the reef--
may be coral, may be hard-pan, may be sand. Do YOU