"Now." Hauk himself was not proof against the shock the announcement brought. He sat down, stupidly rubbing his hand across his forehead, glancing suspiciously at Bojo. Finally he recovered himself sufficiently to say: "For what reason do you want to do this?" "That is my business," said Bojo, "and besides you would not understand in the least." "Well, well," said Flaspoller, recovering his eagerness with his cupidity. "You're not going to refuse, are you?" "That's very noble, very generous," said Hauk slowly. "We were a little hasty, Mr. Crocker. We've lost a good deal of money. We sometimes say things a little more than we mean at such times. You mustn't think too much of that. We are very much upset--we thought the world of Mr. Forshay--" "All this is quite unnecessary," said Bojo with quiet scorn. "We are dealing with figures. Have you the account ready--now?" "Yes, yes--we can have it ready in a moment--look it over--take just a few moments," said Flaspoller eagerly. "Sit down, Mr. Crocker, while we look it up." "Thanks, I prefer to wait outside. Remember I want a complete and minute statement." He wheeled and went out with disgust, taking his seat by his old place at the window, without removing his hat and coat. He waited thus, long minutes, staring out at the dirt-stained walls of the opposite skyscraper that, five hundred feet in the air, shut them out from a glimpse of the sky, oblivious to whispered conversations, curious glances, or the nervous bustling to and fro of the partners. Presently the telephone buzzed at his side. "Mr. Hauk would like you to step into his office, sir." "Tell him to come to me." It was bravado, but a revenge that was precious to him. Almost immediately Hauk came sliding to his desk, laying a paper before him. "This is it, Mr. Crocker." "Every claim you have against the estate--every one?" said Bojo, examining carefully the items. "Perfectly." But at this moment Flaspoller arrived hastily and alarmed. "We forgot the share in the expense of the office," he said hurriedly. "Put it down," said Bojo, with a wave of his hand. At the point of bitter scorn at which he had arrived, it seemed to him a sublime thing to accept all figures without condescending to enter into discussion. "Anything more, gentlemen?" Flaspoller in vain tortured his memory at this last summons. Hauk, misunderstanding the frown and the stare with which Bojo continued to gaze at the paper, began to explain: "This item here is calculated on a third share in--" "I don't want any explanations," said Bojo, cutting him short. "You will, of course, furnish complete details to the executor of the estate. Now if this is complete, kindly give me a written acknowledgment of a payment in full of every claim you hold against the estate of W. O. Forshay, and likewise an attestation that this is in every respect a just and true bill of Mr. Forshay's debts." He drew out his check-book. "Fifty-two thousand, seven hundred--"