htly interested. "Well, after I get
through eating, if nothing else shows up to interest me more, I might
drop over."

"You'd better, and mighty quick, too!" the man snapped, although it was
apparent he was puzzled by Hanlon's manner. "He don't like to be kept
waiting."

"And I don't like to be hurried--or ordered about!" Hanlon snapped back.
"If I come, and notice I said 'if,' I'll be there in about an hour. Now,
do you mind? I like to enjoy my food."

The man rose, still with that perplexed expression. It was evident he
was not used to people not jumping when his "Boss" issued
invitations--which were really commands. He shook his head slowly. "I
hope for your sake he's in a good humor," he said as he left.

Hanlon's mind was not too easy as he ate swiftly, and his relish of the
excellent food was not as keen as it might have been but for this
interruption. He shivered, remembering that cold ruthlessness he had
sensed behind that leader's suave manner. But he had to play out his
string as a somewhat brash youngster who wasn't afraid of anybody or
anything. He had made a clean score with that reckless "can you dish it
out, Mister?" but he had better not press his luck too far.

Thus it was only about half an hour later when he presented himself at
the Bacchus.

"You took your time coming," the leader looked at Hanlon curiously.

"I was hungry," Hanlon answered simply. "I'd just ordered dinner when
your message was delivered. I came as soon as I'd finished."

"Those who work for me usually ... uh ... come running when I call."

Hanlon grinned wolfishly. "Maybe they're afraid of you."

"And you aren't?"

"Should I be?"

"I don't like impudence or insolence," the voice was more curt and the
eyes lost some of their calmness in a flash of anger.

Hanlon knew he had gone far enough for the time being, so instantly
became less brash, more apologetic.

"If I take your job if you offer me one, sir, I'll obey all orders
promptly, and I'll give you everything I've got, naturally. But I'm not
one of your snivelling toadies."

The leader regarded him once more with silent appraisal, in which a
measure of respect, or at least approval, seemed to show. Hanlon,
probing the other minds present, was secretly amused at their
astonishment at his temerity ... and the fact that he was getting away
with it.

After long moments the leader nodded his head, as though he had reached
a decision.

"What were you doing in the