The confidential clerk rubbed his high, pale forehead
indeterminately. "But five thousand dollars, Mr. Jones," he
protested.

"Would pay a year's office rent, you're thinking. True.
Nevertheless I can't see the missing Mr. Hoff as a sound
professional proposition."

"So you think it would be impossible to find him?"

"Now, why should I think any such absurd thing? I think, if you
choose, that he wouldn't be worth the amount, when found, to lose."

"The ad says different, Sir." Simpson raised the paper and read:

"FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS--The aforesaid sum
will be paid without question to anyone
furnishing information which leads to the
discovery of Roderick Hoff, twenty-four years
old, who left his home in Toledo, 0., on
April 12. Communicate with Dr. Conrad Hoff,
Toledo.

"Surely Doctor Hoff is good for the amount."

"Oh, he's good for millions, thanks to his much advertised quack
'Catarrh-Killer.' The point is, from what I can discover, Mr.
Roderick Hoff isn't worth retrieving at any price above one dime."