returned the letter to Zapp, "what of
it?"

"What of it!" Zapp exclaimed. "You are reading such a letter and you
ask me what of it?"

"Sure," Birsky replied; "I says what of it and I mean what of it! Is it
such a terrible thing if we got to wait till next week before
Eschenbach gives us the order, Zapp?"

"If he gives us the order next week!" Zapp retorted, "because, from the
way he says nothing about giving us an order _oder_ looking over our
sample line, Birsky, I got my doubts."

"_Schmooes_, you got your doubts!" Birsky cried. "The feller says as
plain as daylight----" Here he seized the letter to refresh his memory.
"He says," Birsky continued: "'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.' Ain't that enough for you?"

Zapp shrugged his shoulders in a non-committal fashion.

"I would wait till next week first," he said, "before I would
congratulate myself on that order."

Birsky rose painfully to his feet.

"You could do as you like, Zapp," he said, "but for me I ain't worrying
about things not happening until they don't, Zapp; so, if any one wants
me for anything I would be over in Hammersmith's for the next
half-hour."

Ten minutes later he sat at his favourite table in Hammersmith's cafe;
and, pending the arrival of an order which included _Kreploch_ soup and
some _eingedaempftes Kalbflieisch_, he gazed about him at the lunch-hour
crowd. Nor was his appetite diminished by the spectacle of H. Dexter
Adelstern and Finkman engaged in earnest conversation at an adjoining
table, and he could not forbear a triumphant smile as he attacked his
plate of soup. He had barely swallowed the first spoonful, however,
when Adelstern and Finkman caught sight of him and they immediately
rose from their seats and came over to his table.

"Why, how do you do, Mr. Birsky?" Adelstern cried. "I hear you had a
great game of baseball yesterday."

Birsky nodded almost proudly.

"You hear correct," he said. "Our mutual aid society must got to thank
you, Mr. Adelstern, for the use of your Bronix lots."

"Don't mention it," Adelstern replied; "in fact, you are welcome to use
'em whenever you want to, Mr. Birsky."

He winked furtively at Finkman, who forthwith broke into the
conversation.

"Might he would buy 'em from you, maybe, Adelstern," he suggested, "and
add 'em to his other holdings on Ammerman Avenue!"

Birsky felt that he coul