nounced and told to come in
here to see you."

Trubus raised his eyebrows, and slowly turned in his chair. His eyes
opened wide with surprise as he peered over the gold rims at the
newcomer.

"Well, well, well! So you were, so you were."

He put down his glass reluctantly.

"You must pardon me, but I always spend my noon hour gaining
inspiration from the great Source of all inspiration. What can I do
for you? I understand that you are a policeman--am I mistaken?"

"No, sir; I am a policeman, and I have come to you to get your aid. I
understand that you receive a great deal of money for your campaign for
purifying the city, and so I think you can help me in a certain work."

Trubus waved the four-carat ring deprecatingly.

"Ah, my young friend, you are in great error. I do not receive much
money. We toil very ardently for the cause, but worldly pleasures and
the selfishness of our fellow citizens interfere with our solving of
the great task. We are far behind in our receipts. How lamentably
little do we get in response to our requests for aid to charity!"

He followed Bobbie's incredulous glance at the luxurious furnishings of
his office.

"Yes, yes, it is indeed a wretched state of affairs. Our efforts never
cease, and although we have fourteen stenographers working constantly
on the lists of people who could aid us, with a number of devout
assistants who cover the field, our results are pitiable."

He leaned back in his leather-covered mahogany desk chair.

"Even I, the president of this association, give all my time to the
cause. And for what? A few hundred dollars yearly--a bare modicum. I
am compelled to eat this frugal luncheon of crackers and grape juice.
I have given practically all of my private fortune to this splendid
enterprise, and the results are discouraging. Even the furniture of
this office I have brought down from my home in order that those who
may come to discuss our movement may be surrounded by an environment of
beauty and calm. But, money, much money. Alas!"

Just at this juncture the door opened and the telephone girl brought in
a basket full of letters, evidently just received from the mail man.

"Here's the latest mail, Mr. Trubus. All answers to the form letters,
to judge from the return envelopes."

Trubus frowned at her as he caught Burke's twinkling glance.

"Doubtless they are insults to our cause, not replies to our
importunities, Miss Emerson!" he hurrie