"Yes, I came in as he was leaving. He gave his check for rent to the exchange girl--to be handed to me. I got it all right. And that's all I know." "And your name, please?--'Bender?'--thank you, Mr. Bender. I may wish to speak with you again. My name is Villard, a very close friend of Mr. Parkins, and I have business matters requiring his presence at my office. If he shows up, kindly ring my phone--Private, one hundred. It will be to his advantage, I assure you." Villard was soon within his own office and nervously pacing the floor. With his hands behind him he twiddled his thumbs and gave way to deep thought. "Parkins must be saved!" he said to himself, and quickening his stride, he rushed out of his private office into the counting room. "Ring my chauffeur," said he, seeing and speaking to no one in particular, then returned to his office. Shortly afterward his car was announced and he was soon headed for the Wall Street district. At the Updyke Detective Agency, twentieth floor of the Universal Exchange, he asked for Updyke personally and was ushered in. The two shook hands cordially and at once got down to business. "Do you know William Parkins--one of my special partners?" questioned Villard. "I'd say I do--what's up?" "I can't find him." "Where have you looked?" "Called at his apartment--he'd gone from there, leaving a check for a month's rent!" replied Villard. "When?" "Early this morning--left no word--but paid the month's rent in advance--which was unusual." "Um--any reason to be anxious about him?" "I'll give you the whole story." Then, careful as to details, Drury Villard recited the facts briefly and wound up by declaring that he was "bent on saving Parkins from any untoward act that might lead to his downfall--financially, morally or physically." "That's a big order to take down," replied Updyke, laconically. "Why?" "Do you assume to know Bill Parkins from hat to shoes? Do you know that he is speculating upward on a downward market? Do you know that he is a drunkard, that he takes dope, patronizes low places, and is a disgrace to your high class concern?" Villard, aghast, stood up and walked to and fro, across the room. Finally he turned and said-- "He must be saved!" "Saved! Saved Hell! Why, man alive, he is beyond redemption!" yelled Updyke, whose forcefulness caused Villard to eye him critically. Evidently there were matters concerning his Vice President of which he was unaware. "How long has he been beyond redemption?" questioned Villard in an even tone of voice striving to conceal the alarm within him as best he could. "I'll look up his record," replied Updyke, ringing a bell and ordering out a certain page from a loose-leaf book of records. As he placed it in Villard's hands, he glanced at it to make sure it was the right document.