atisfied in
my own mind that we were being sacrificed to our own uprightness."

"What companies are these that are breaking their pledges? How are
they doing it? And where?"

"Mr. Wintermuth, I am absolutely convinced that three Conference
companies in the Nolan agency, who represent us at Syracuse, are paying
at least ten per cent excess commission on preferred business without
going through the formality of demanding even a receipt for it. I know
it to be a fact that at Trenton, New Jersey, the special agent of one
of the biggest American companies--also a Conference member--makes a
monthly visit for the purpose of putting into the agent's hands spot
cash equal to the amount of the agent's illegitimate excess commissions
for that month. The agent deducts his regular commission in his
account, and gets this additional amount in cash, so that he gets a
good deal more than what we can pay him under the rules. Is it any
wonder, then, that our business is dropping off in these offices? And
these are two cities only. I could name a dozen. That is why I asked
you how deeply we were committed to the Conference."

The President rose, his eyes flashing.

"If these are facts capable of substantiation, we will be committed
only until our resignation can take effect. I believe it takes thirty
days' notice for a company to terminate its membership. If these cases
are typical of others, and you can prove them, exactly thirty-one days
later the Eastern Conference will lack one of its charter members."

"Oh, I can prove them, all right. Proof is pretty easily
secured--circumstantial evidence enough to hang a man with any jury.
But I didn't really think you'd look at it in quite this light, sir. I
had not come to the point of recommending that the company withdraw
from the Conference. It struck me that before we made that move,
certain expedients might be tried."

"Expedients? Such as what, sir?"

"Well, I thought possibly you might be willing to--meet a few of these
most open cases of competition with similar methods--"

He stopped, at the expression of his chief's face.

"You thought, did you, that because these men, my competitors, have no
respect for their publicly pledged word, I would be willing to be
equally indulgent. Mr. O'Connor, you have served a long time under me,
and I am surprised at you! When James Wintermuth gets to the point
where he is unable to live up to his promises, it will be time for h