I suppose I'll have to cast about for his successor and beat Matt
out of his cheap 'I told you so' triumph. I think Comrade Peck has some
of the earmarks of a good manager for our Shanghai office, but I'll have
to test him a little further." He looked up humorously at Mr. Skinner.
"Skinner, my dear boy," he continued, "I'm going to have him deliver a
blue vase."

Mr. Skinner's cold features actually glowed. "Well, tip the chief of
police and the proprietor of the store off this time and save yourself
some money," he warned Cappy. He walked to the window and looked down
into California Street. He continued to smile.

"Yes," Cappy continued dreamily, "I think I shall give him the
thirty-third degree. You'll agree with me, Skinner, that if he delivers
the blue vase he'll be worth ten thousand dollars a year as our Oriental
manager?"

"I'll say he will," Mr. Skinner replied slangily.

"Very well, then. Arrange matters, Skinner, so that he will be available
for me at one o'clock, a week from Sunday. I'll attend to the other
details."

Mr. Skinner nodded. He was still chuckling when he departed for his own
office.

* * * * *

V

A week from the succeeding Saturday, Mr. Skinner did not come down to
the office, but a telephone message from his home informed the chief
clerk that Mr. Skinner was at home and somewhat indisposed. The chief
clerk was to advise Mr. Peck that he, Mr. Skinner, had contemplated
having a conference with the latter that day, but that his indisposition
would prevent this. Mr. Skinner hoped to be feeling much better
tomorrow, and since he was very desirous of a conference with Mr. Peck
before the latter should depart on his next selling pilgrimage, on
Monday, would Mr. Peck be good enough to call at Mr. Skinner's house at
one o'clock Sunday afternoon? Mr. Peck sent back word that he would be
there at the appointed time and was rewarded with Mr. Skinner's thanks,
via the chief clerk.

Promptly at one o'clock the following day, Bill Peck reported at the
general manager's house. He found Mr. Skinner in bed, reading the paper
and looking surprisingly well. He trusted Mr. Skinner felt better than
he looked. Mr. Skinner did, and at once entered into a discussion of the
new customers, other prospects he particularly desired Mr. Peck to
approach, new business to be investigated, and further details without
end. And in the midst of this conference Cappy Riggs telephone