are somewhat similar to those you describe, I would
advise you to add about one hundred thousand dollars
to the cost of the ironwork."

"Is that safe?" Again the smile worked itself
loose.

"Yes," I replied, "if you don't lose your plant too
often by bad weather. We have warnings of our coast
storms and can provide against them. I don't know
anything about yours--what are they like?"

"They come suddenly and without warning," he
rejoined; "typhoons, generally, with the tiles rattling
off the roofs and the natives hugging the cocoanut
trees." With this he turned to the plans again.
"Better add another twenty thousand--I want to be
safe," he said, in a tone that showed me he had at
last made up his mind.

I added it, marking the sum on the memorandum
which Mawkum had given him.

"Now, please put that in writing over your signature.
I'll call to-morrow at ten for the document.
Good-day."

When he was well down the corridor--we waited
really until we heard the down-chug of the elevator--
Mawkum looked at me and gave a low whistle.