"Don't quarrel on my account, gentlemen," the canvasser said as he puffed at his cigar. "I shall call again when you're not so busy." He passed out of the office with a graceful gesture of farewell, and once more Abe and Morris sat down on the edge of their chairs. It was not for long, however; and this time, without any announcement, a thick-set gentleman with carefully trimmed beard and moustache stood in the doorway. "Good afternoon, gentlemen," he said--and Abe and Morris literally sprang into the middle of the office floor. "Mr. Steuermann?" Abe gasped, extending his hand. "My name is Mr. Goldstein," the visitor replied, "and I represent the Lilywhite Dress Shield Company." He proceeded no further, however, for Morris led him by the shoulder to the elevator shaft and pointed to a notice reading: HOURS FOR SALESMEN 8 to 9:30 Morris returned to the office and hardly was he seated in his chair when, for the third time, the doorway framed a visitor. "Mr. Potash?" the newcomer asked timidly. He was a short, slender man, past middle age, clad in a shabby overcoat, half threadbare, and a soft felt hat of a dingy, weatherbeaten appearance. "_Nu!_" Abe growled. "What is it now?" "Mr. Potash," the stranger continued, "I called to see you at the request of Mr. Geigermann. My name is Steuermann." Abe essayed to rise, but his knees would not support him and he waved his hand feebly to a chair that Morris dragged forward. "Mr. Steuermann," Morris said, "you are coming up here to see us when we could much better afford it if we would go down and see you." "Why, gentlemen, it was no inconvenience for me," Steuermann replied. "I am on my way home." "God would bless you for it, anyway!" Abe declared fervently; and Steuermann blushed. "Now, Mr. Potash," he protested, "I am not here for compliments. I've come to see what we can all do for this poor fellow. I'm a little late, because I was waiting for a report from my lawyers." "Your lawyers!" Abe exclaimed. "Why, we already hired Henry D. Feldman." "So I believe," Steuermann replied; "and he has consented to act in conjunction with my lawyers--Chitty, Schwarzstein & Munjoy. I shall relieve you gentlemen of all responsibility in the matter." "Do you mean by responsibility, Mr. Steuermann, that you would pay Feldman?" Abe asked. Mr. Steuermann smiled. "Well, we won't discuss that just now," he said. "Because," Abe continued, "we wouldn't consent to nothing of the kind, Mr. Steuermann; the young feller works for us and we would got to do our share." "That part will come later," Steuermann insisted; "and now let's see what is to be done." For more than half an hour Steuermann disclosed to Abe and Morris the result of his lawyers' investigation. "Mr. Munjoy has seen Kovalenko," Steuermann said, "and he asserts that, so far as proof is concerned, no murder was ever committed."