Tom looked up from a handful of old letters as the two men entered.

"See here, you!" was Bellas's form of greeting.

"Try it again," smiled Tom pleasantly.

"You're the man I want to talk to," Bellas snarled. "What do you mean
by--"

"What's your name?" asked Reade quickly.

"None of your--"

"We can never do business on that kind of courtesy," smiled Reade. "Mr.
Payson, show the man out and let him come back when he's cooler."

"There isn't anyone here who can show me out!" blustered Bellas,
swinging his big arms and causing the heavy muscles to stand out.

"If you don't care to behave in a businesslike way, and talk like a man,
we'll do our best to show you out," Tom retorted, still with a pleasant
smile. "What are you here for, anyway?"

"Why have I been fired?" roared Bellas.

"Can't you guess?" queried Tom.

"Was it for going to town and being away all night?"