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 Frank had only that day held a two hours' consultation with John Dawes, who owned the novelty works at the edge of the town.

Dawes made a specialty of manufacturing light hardware specialties. His own list embraced over two hundred articles, ranging from pocket rules to tool chests. He supplied a great many mail order people all over the country, and told Frank he would be glad to encourage a local institution.

"He has given me as low a rate as any customer he has on his books, he says," reported Frank. "Besides that, being directly on the spot, I save the freight charges, you see."

"Good," said Bart Stirling, "you've struck the right location, sure."

"Mr. Dawes is going to make my apple corer and a puzzle belonging to Markham," said Frank. "Then I have made arrangements with a dozen large city supply houses. I am going to push that harmless comical novelty, the false moustache wrinkle. I have also ordered quite a line of cheap jewelry, especially initial cuff buttons and friendship and birthday rings. I can sell at one dollar and a half a solid gold birthday ring that retailers everywhere mark at three dollars as a minimum price. Soon as I get onto all the ropes, I intend to reach out for class and fraternity emblem trade,