ke
I would got the rheumatism already."

Barney Zapp sat at his desk, with a pile of newly opened mail in front
of him, and he scowled darkly at his partner, who sank groaning into
the nearest chair.

"I give you my word, Barney," Birsky went on, "if that old _Rosher_
would of kept us a minute longer throwing that _verfluechte Bobky_
round, understand me--never mind he wouldn't come in here and buy a big
order from us this morning--I would of wrung his neck for him. What
does he think we are, anyway--children?"

Zapp only grunted in reply. He was nursing a badly strained wrist as
the result of two hours' fielding for Jonas Eschenbach; and thus
handicapped he had been performing the duties of Joseph Bogin, the shop
foreman, who only that morning had sent by his wife a formal note
addressed to Birsky & Zapp. It had been written under the advice of
counsel and it announced Bogin's inability to come to work by reason of
injuries received through the agency of Birsky & Zapp, and concluded
with the notice that an indemnity was claimed from the funds of the
mutual aid society, "without waiving any other proceedings that the
said Joseph Bogin might deem necessary to protect his interests in the
matter."

"_Nu_, Zapp," Birsky said after Zapp had shown him Bogin's note, "you
couldn't prevent a crook like Bogin suing you if he wants to, understand
me; and I bet yer when Eschenbach comes in here this afternoon he would
buy from us such a bill of goods that Bogin's and Golnik's claims
wouldn't be a bucket of water in the ocean."

For answer to this optimistic prophecy Zapp emitted a short and
mirthless laugh, while he handed to his partner another letter, which
read as follows:

HOTEL PRINCE CLARENCE,--_Sunday night_.

FRIEND BIRSKY: As I told you Saturday, lots of things might happen
before Monday, which they did happen; so that I cannot look over
your sample line on account I am obliged to leave for Cordova right
away. Please excuse me; and, with best wishes for the success of
your society, I am

Yours truly,

JONAS ESCHENBACH.

P.S. I will be back in New York a free man not later than next week
at the latest, and the first thing I will call at your place. We
will talk over then the society and what happens with your designer
yesterday, which I do not anticipate he will make you any
trouble--and the other man, neither.

J. E.

"Well," Birsky commented as he