fire-extinguishers."

"And do they have them?" asked Skinner.

"Every first-class theater and opera house does, all over the United
States," said Eliph'. "But the odd thing was that at the very moment
the fire broke out I had this book open at page 416, 'Fire--Its
Traditions--How to Make a Fire Without Matches--Fire Fighting--Fire
Extinguishers, How Made.' I was reading to those people how to make
fire-extinguishers at home out of common chemicals and any suitable
nickel-plated can, that would be as good as the best sold in any store,
and right as I read it I thought how easy it would be for any man or
child to turn those twenty-four useless lung-testers on the third floor
into first-class fire-extinguishers, by following the simple directions
set down on page 418, at a cost of only about twenty-six cents each----"

Skinner held out his hand for the book.

"Let me have a look at that book," he said.

Eliph' picked up the book and tucked it under his arm.

"And at that minute came the cry of 'Fire!'" he said. "And I thought of
poor Bill Rossiter up there on the third floor, shut off from all hope
of rescue-----"

Skinner reached down to his cash drawer and pulled it open. He took out
a dollar bill and held it toward Eliph'. The book agent ignored it.

"Think of it," he said. "Bill Rossiter on the third floor, burning up,
and me on the floor below with this book in my hand reading off of page
418 the names of the simple ingredients that would----"

"Mebby I might as well pay the whole five right now," said Skinner,
taking four more dollars out of his drawer. "Could you leave that book
with me?"

"I will, as a special favor," said Eliph'.

"Well, say," said Skinner, "I'll be mortally obliged to you if you will.
It will take a mighty load off of my mind."

And when Eliph' left the butcher shop he had, for the first time in his
life, sold his sample copy.

CHAPTER XVIII. Another Trial

When Eliph' stepped out of the butcher shop he saw T. J. Jones across
the street, returning from his interview with Mrs. Smith, and the book
agent hailed him and crossed the street. The editor wore a harassed look
as Eliph' stepped up to him, and it deepened when Eliph' asked him if he
had acceded to Mrs. Smith's request.

"Hewlitt," he said, "I couldn't do it. I wanted to, but I couldn't. The
man was willing but the editor had to refuse. The press cannot sink the
public welfare to favor individuals; once the freedom