r--and never, to his knowledge, had it been paid in advance by his
ultra-rich patrons, most of whom were greatly in arrears. Haynerd saw
it all vanishing now as quietly as the mist fades before the summer
sun.

Within an hour the wondering Hitt was in conference with him, and
Haynerd had told the story of the theft, of the Ames bribe, and the
encounter following. "But," he cried, "can Ames kill my entire
subscription list, and in a single week?"

"Easily," replied Hitt, "and in any one of several ways. Apparently he
had caused your subscription list and books to be stolen. Your sun has
set, Ned. Or, rather, Ames has lifted it bodily from the sky."

"Then I'll shoot him! I'll--! But we've got the goods on him! Carmen
and I saw him bribe Wales! We'll expose him!"

Hitt laughed. "Forget all that," he said, laying a hand on the excited
man's arm. "Remember, that Wales would never dare breathe a word of
it; Carmen has no reputation or standing whatsoever now in this city;
and Ames would make out a case of blackmail against you so quickly
that it would sweep you right into the Tombs. Go easy. And first, let
us get the girl herself down here."

He took the telephone and called up several of the University
departments, after first ascertaining that she was not at her home.
Then, having located her, he plunged into a study of the situation
with the distracted publisher.

"That's the way of it!" cried Haynerd at length. "Here I waste my
evenings in learned philosophical discussions with you people, and
meantime, while we're figuring out that there is no evil, that
monster, Ames, stretches out a tentacle and strangles me! Fine
practical discussions we've been having, ain't they? I tell you, I'm
through with 'em!" He brought his fist down upon the desk with a
crash.

"Ned," said Hitt, "you're a fool."

"Sure I am!" shouted Haynerd. "Do I deny it? Here I had a nice, clean
business, no work, good pay--and, just because I associated with you
and that girl, the whole damn thing goes up the flue! Pays to be good,
doesn't it? Nix!"

"H'm; well, Ned, you're not only a fool, but a blooming idiot,"
replied Hitt calmly.

"Lay it on! Lay it on thick!" roared Haynerd. "And if you run out of
epithets, I'll supply a few! I'm a--"

The door swung open, and Carmen entered, fresh as the sea breeze, and
panting with her haste. "Do you know," she began eagerly, "two men
followed me all the way down from the University! They watched me