to recover. He said with weak cheerfulness:

"Oh, well, it isn't a third what Frisby took, and he didn't have a
dollar."

"Sure enough!" rejoiced Livingstone. "Lucky we don't have to pay it now
though." There was another period of silence; then he added, "What time
is it getting to be, Perny?"

As there was no immediate answer to this, Livingstone wheeled half-way
around from his easel for the reply, and saw Perner studying somewhat
solemnly the dial of one of the fat "Whole Family" watches. Perner
usually carried a rather elegant gold time-piece, a memory of his
business career, and the only one in the party. Livingstone was about to
comment on its absence, but was restrained by a sudden delicacy.
Perner's watch might be out for repairs, or he might be wearing this
ridiculous affair out of loyalty to the paper; but these were troublous
times, and there was the possibility of still another solution of the
matter.

"Five o'clock," decided Perner, at last, "lacking four minutes. I
suppose I'm through with the leeches for to-day."

The words were barely uttered when the door opened and a boy entered
with bills in one hand and a letter in the other.

"I spoke a little too soon, it seems," Perner concluded, taking the
envelop which the boy had extended uncertainly toward each of them in
turn.

The envelop contained a brief communication--also a bill. Perner held
the latter in his hand while he ran his eye hastily over the former.
Then he glanced at the amount of the bill, and Van Dorn, who was
watching him, saw that he was rather white. He turned to the boy quite
carelessly, however.

"You may leave these. We will attend to them to-morrow." Then, as the
collector vanished, he looked up at Van Dorn with, "It's the bill for
the advertising. We are to pay before it goes in."

Van Dorn half rose to his feet. Livingstone gasped.

"Listen," said Perner, and he read the letter to them:

"OFFICE OF JACKSON & MARSH, ETC.

"NEW YORK, September 2, 1897.

"_Publishers of the 'Whole Family,' New York._

"GENTLEMEN: We hand you herewith net bill of your
advertising, cash discount being taken off as per your
instructions through Mr. Bates. Upon receipt of your check
for the amount we will give our final O. K. to the various
periodicals, most of which are now ready for the press. With
thanks for your order, we ask, therefore, that you kindly be
very prompt, and greatly oblige,