So affecting was this piece of news on Eli Jerey's mind that he forthwith began to arouse himself from his convalescing lethargy; and by another fortnight was down at his old post, with the same cadavorous look in his face, and the same slavish notions in his head. Since Peter had left his office: which he did immediately after his marriage: that little black hole stood silent, smokeless, with the accumulated filth of years still clinging to it. The little peephole was there, now with no wolfish eyes behind to peer through it, but still a source of much anxiety to Eli, who, so strong was the force of habit in him, even after he knew his master was gone, looked suspiciously at it ever and anon, as if it itself would turn into green eyes and knock him down by their stare, as those without the secret password had often done before. Otherwise, Eli had peace of soul, since that irritable old curmudgeon had surprised him into getting well. Being faithful to his trust, he could not do different than he did; and it is well for him. For after Peter had returned from his long-delayed honeymoon, he came to the office only as a visitor. So magnanimous was he now, in his rejuvenated character, that he turned the junk shop and all his business over to Eli, to be managed as he willed. But this change in proprietorship in nowise took from the place the name it had acquired, nor from it the honor of being the repository of all the secrets of the System built up around it, with no apparent connection. So, instead of Peter being in his den, curled up like a stoat, he delegated, after awhile, to Eli the perfunctory duties of receiving and transmitting messages between himself and the henchmen, with Eli ensconced in the black office. One day after taking up his incumbency therein, Eli received a call from Welty Morne. "Where is Peter?" asked Welty, as he softly entered the sacred precinct of The Die, unawares to Eli. Remembering his encounter with that young gentleman, Eli bustled up like a porcupine on the approach of an enemy, forgetting that he was to let by-gone be by-gones, and serve his master in a new role. "Gone," answered Eli, boldly; "I'm boss here. What will you have?" "Where's he gone?" asked Welty, a little ruffled. "He's quit these quarters for good," answered Eli. "Wonder he wouldn't let a fellow know such things," said Welty. "I'm his messenger; what can I do for you?" "You! I hope not to that extent!" "Yes; me--to that extent," retorted Eli. "Well;" and Welty studied a few moments; then continued: "Convey to him that Monroe wants to get in communication with him at once." "I will do it," responded Eli. Whereat, Eli descended into the darkness of his private phone booth, remained a few minutes, and returned, with the information that Peter would see him that evening at eight o'clock at the "Bartonage," as he called his new residence. "Very well," said Welty, leaving in a sulky temper.