He winces a little at that. "Don't tell Bob how bad it was, then,"
says he. "Just say you let me have a fiver for him."

"Five bucks!" says I. "Say, I'm Mr. Robert's office boy, not his bank
account."

"Two, then?" he goes on.

"My, but I must have the boob mark on me plain!" says I.

"Couldn't you spare a half," he urges, "just a half, to get me a little
something to eat, and a drink, and pay for a bed?"

"Oh, sure!" says I. "I carry a pocketful of halves to shove out to all
the bums that presents their business cards."

"But Bob would give it back to you," he pleads. "I swear he would!
Just tell him you gave it to--to----"

"Well?" says I. "Algernon who?"

"Tell him it was for Melville Slater," says he. "He'll know."

"Melly Slater, eh?" says I. "Sounds all aright. But I'd have to chew
it over first, even for a half. I have chances of gettin' stung like
this about four times a day, Melly. And, anyway, I got to file a
message first, over at the next corner."

"I'll wait outside," says he.