hair smoothed back so slick. A cucumbery sort of person, Nivens. He
has sort of a narrow face, taken bow on, but sideways it shows up clean
cut and almost distinguished. Them deep-set black eyes of his give him
a kind of mysterious look, too.

"Now," says Ham Adams, squarin' off before him with his jaw set rugged,
"perhaps you will tell us why you were stretching your ear outside?"

"Wouldn't it be better, sir, if I explained privately?" suggests
Nivens, glancin' at me.

"Oh, him!" says Adams. "Never mind him."

"Very well, sir," says Nivens. "I wanted to know if you were able to
raise any cash. I haven't mentioned it before, but there's a matter of
fifteen months' wages between us, sir, and--"

"Yes, yes, I know," cuts in Ham. "But yon understand my circumstances.
That will come in time."

"I'm afraid I shall have to ask for a settlement very soon, sir," says
Nivens.

"Eh?" gasps Adams. "Why, see here, Nivens; you've been with me for
five--six years, isn't it?"

"Going on seven, sir," says Nivens.

"And during all that time," suggests Ham, "I've paid you thousands of
dollars."