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 when the four sat down to the table and Abner was besieged with the various dishes, including strawberries. At the end of the meal, when the veteran could eat no more, he anxiously asked:

“Is this same feller to cook breakfast?”

“Josef cooks all my meals when I am at home or in my car,” informed Thaxter.

“All right,” sighed Abner. “I’m glad I’m going to bunk here to-night. Hope he’ll have some of that cold sweet stuff.”

Stanley chuckled, but took an opportunity to order ice cream for breakfast.

Promptly at eight o’clock next morning Nace entered the office, wearing his hat at an aggressive angle. He was confident that he had won his fight and was about to add nearly a quarter of a million to his already moderate fortune. His salutation to Hatton was curt and sharp. The manager, in turn, was meek and mild in bearing and rubbed his hands nervously.

“Kind of upset at the thought of having the boss here this morning, eh?” grinned Nace.

“He was much put out yesterday afternoon when I told him that we were helpless,” mumbled Hatton. “It even reached a point where I offered to resign.”

“Ha! ha!” chuckled Nace. “Well, if you