material. Suddenly his arm stayed in mid air and he laid down the
chalk with a muscular effort. "I think I take this home," he firmly
announced.

"Heinrich, you come back after the work. Just now we go with Mr.
Gamble to Schoppenvoll's and have a glass of Rheinthranen!" Ersten
said.

"The Rheinthranen!" repeated Heinrich in awe; and for the first time
his eyes moistened. "Louis, we was always friends!" And they shook
hands.

Johnny Gamble, keen as he was, did not quite understand it; but,
nevertheless, he had penetration enough to stroll nonchalantly out
into the show-room, where Louis and Heinrich presently joined him,
chattering like a Kaffe-klatsch; and they all walked round to
Schoppenvoll's.

While Schnitt thanked Johnny for his interference until that modest
young man blushed, Ersten argued seriously in whispers with
Shoppenvoll to secure a bottle of the precious wine that only he and
Schoppenvoll and Kurzerhosen had a right to purchase. Johnny drank
his with dull wonder. It tasted just like Rhine wine!

While Heinrich Schnitt was back in the cutting room, carefully
selecting every coat in the shop to take home with him, Ersten drew
Johnny near the door.

"I fool him!" he announced with grinning cuteness. "I move right
away. You get my lease for the best price what that smart-Aleck