settle the account for the last bill," Benson went on, slipping the
statement from an inner pocket and laying it on the desk before Mr.
Forrester. That gentleman frowned slightly.

"I trust we haven't called at the wrong time, and that it will be
wholly convenient for you this evening," Jack continued.

"But, see here, young man, I know nothing about you. You have the bill,
true, but it is not receipted."

"I will receipt it, in Mr. Farnum's name."

"All well and good," replied Mr. Forrester. "But--pardon me--how do I
know that you have any authority to receipt for this account?"

"Then I think you will appreciate my painstaking care to make everything
regular and satisfactory," laughed Jack, very quietly. "Here is a
paper, signed by Mr. Farnum, authorizing me to receipt this account
in his name. You may keep this authorization along with the receipt.
Mr. Forrester, it is growing late, and we are obliged to be at business
early in the morning. You will oblige us by letting us have your
check, won't you?"

Benson spoke as though he had not a doubt of immediate settlement. Yet
his tone and his manner were such as not to give the least offense to
the man who was being "dunned."

"Why, this--er--is rather a late time in the day to collect bills,"
hinted Mr. Forrester, in an uncertain voice.

"Had the matter not been just a little pressing we wouldn't have ventured
over as late," Benson replied, softly. "However, you understand what
I would say, don't you, Mr. Forrester?"

There was something about the young speaker's manner, his tone, the
look in his eyes, that proclaimed him to be anything but a "quitter."
Mr. Forrester began to feel that, if he succeeded in evading payment
this evening, he would only have to see these young men frequently.

"Well, you see, Benson," he said, at last, "I don't want to draw for
such a sum against my check account before to-morrow."

"I think we could come again to-morrow, if we _have_ to," responded
young Benson, as though thinking it over.

"I am going to make a deposit in my bank in the morning," continued
the man.

"Then we are to come again to-morrow evening?" insisted Jack.

"Why, hang it, no. If you'll take cash, instead of check, I can let you
have the money to-night."

But that gentleman added, under his breath:

"I may as well settle to-night as have them coming again to-morrow."

"Why, certainly we'll take the cash, to-night," replied young Benson,
his