The interior bore out the promise of the exterior.  The rooms were well and even handsomely finished.  They were twelve in number, and there was a good-sized bathroom.

“I wonder if the plumbing is good?” said Mr. Grayling.

“I will test it as far as I can,” said Andy.

“You seem to have a good deal of experience for one so young.”

“No, sir, not very much, but I have made a careful study of the subject.  Mr. Crawford has a good architectural library, and I have made use of it.”

After a careful inspection, Andy made a favorable report.

“Of course,” he said, “if I am mistaken we will make matters right.”

“That will be satisfactory.  What is your price for the house?”

“Eight thousand dollars.”

Mr. Grayling, after a brief consideration, said: 

“That seems reasonable.  I will buy the house.  How soon can you give me possession?”

“In a week.”

“Very good.  Then our business seems to be concluded.  We will catch the next train back to the city.”

“Would you mind giving me a memorandum stating that you will buy the house?”

“I will do so.  We will stop at a stationery store, and I will make it out.”

When Andy re-entered Mr. Crawford’s office the real estate agent inquired: 

“How does Mr. Grayling like the house?”

“He has bought it.”

“Is it possible?  At what figure?”

“Eight thousand dollars.”

“Good!  I was authorized to take two hundred dollars less, if need be.”

“He asked no reduction.”

“I hope he won’t change his mind.”

“He won’t.  Here is his written agreement to take the house.”

“Excellent.  Did he offer this assurance?”

“No, sir.  I asked for it.”

“Andy, you have succeeded admirably.  I shall have great pleasure in keeping my promise and paying you eighty dollars, or one per cent, on the purchase money.”

“That will be very acceptable, Mr. Crawford.  I don’t often earn eighty dollars in one day.”

In reply to Mr. Crawford’s inquiries, Andy gave a detailed account of his visit, and his employer drew a check for eighty dollars, which he placed in his hands.

“Now that I see what you can do,” he said, “I shall send you out again.”

“Perhaps you will find my services too expensive.”

“No.  In addition to my regular percentage I receive an extra hundred dollars for getting the full eight thousand dollars.”

Andy cashed the check, and deposited the money in a savings bank.  He did not pay it to Mr. Crawford on account of the land in Tacoma, for it occurred to him that he might have occasion to use it.

In this he proved correct.

Three weeks later he received a letter from his father.  Sterling Grant was a farmer, little used to writing letters, and Andy knew that there must be some special reason for his writing at this time.