sequently Evan, next in charge of Banfield branch, was
obliged to receive the new dictator: such it was Penton's disposition
to be.

He strutted through the office to the cage, where Evan was busy with a
customer, and spoke half civilly:

"Are you the accountant here?"

The teller turned around, with a bunch of counted bills in his hand.

"Yes, sir," he said, "just a minute and I'll be out."

"Come out now," said Penton.

Evan finished waiting on the customer, who had been standing in front
of the wicket long enough, and then obeyed the manager. The two looked
at each other challengingly. Penton's expression was almost a glare.
The teller stood his ground. He conceived a ready dislike for the tall
figure before him. At length Penton extended his hand. It was bony
and cold. Evan discarded it as quickly as possible and called over the
rest of the staff for introduction.

Filter shook hands methodically, scarcely raising his eyes to meet the
bulging, colorless eyes of Penton. Henty blushed, but his gaze was
unwavering. The dogs barked uproariously, scampering to and fro like
rats. Mrs. Penton, from the manager's office, tried to quiet them, but
they seemed bent on carrying out the bluff they had started, imitating
in that respect their male master.

"I've got an infernal toothache," said Penton, speaking to the junior,
"would you run across to the hotel and get me some brandy? If that
doesn't stop it I'll have to see a doctor."

His tone was more polite now. Henty left his work and went for the
liquor. While he was away the manager and his wife took a hasty glance
at their living quarters. She remained there with the terriers, but
Penton soon came back for his remedy. When Evan went in he found
three-fourths of the liquor gone, but the tooth was still aching. Mr.
Penton was evidently in agony; he swore.

"Ask Mrs. Penton to come with me to a doctor's, will you?" he said.

Nelson rapped on a door at the end of the hall leading from the office
into Penton's apartments. The dogs set up another hullabaloo. From
his office the pained manager cursed them heartily. Henty was ready to
bubble over with merriment, but the teller motioned him sober.

Mrs. Penton hesitated as she entered her husband's office. She could
not have seen the flask, for it was not now in sight.

"Come with me to the doctor's, won't you?" he asked, with the suspicion
of a whimper in his tone.

She looked behind her before