Dutchy held up his hand for silence. “Dere iss der sixteen over again yet dot dinnered didn’d. Dot iss four dollars--yess? Veil, I vant dot. Dot iss four und two and four. Dot iss ten dollars--don’d it? Veil, I vant dot, und den you come in--yess, one py one--for a quarter py each.” Then, amid the storm of abuse and jeers that greeted Dutchy’s ultimatum, MacDonald, with a final injunction to the proprietor to stand by his guns, turned and joined Thornley and the men. “Veil, py golly!” screamed Dutchy above the din. “Vat iss it? Who was der commencer of dot joke dot iss ten dollars to pay? It iss dot Thornley!” “Why, you wretched old thief,” yelled Thornley, “Do you think we’re going to pay you for grub we didn’t get, because you wouldn’t let us have it, and then pay you for it again when you do dole it out? We’ll see you further, first.” “It vas agreed in front of der--hang dot word!--py der--” “Agreed nothing!” snorted Thornley. “Dot you vill for repates no longer ask, yet, don’d it? Veil, der price ten dollars iss. Dere iss no repate. Oh, py golly, Mister Thornley, dot vas an oxpensive joke--yess? Dot vas your joke, und I shusht thought me dot I hope you will pay dot yourself.” Thornley paid. With no good grace, but because, as MacDonald had said they would, the men made him. Disgruntled and angry, he led the file into the restaurant, placing ten dollars and twenty-five cents in Dutchy’s hand before he crossed the threshold. Behind him followed MacDonald and the grinning line of men, each contributing their quarters--in advance--for the first square meal they had had that day. “Eat vat you like,” said Dutchy magnanimously. Thornley glared. “Eat vat you like! Eat vat you like!” he mimicked savagely. “I like your colossal generosity at my expense!” For a long time there was no other noise save the rattle of dishes and the busy clatter of knives, forks, and spoons. Then Thornley beckoned to Dutchy. “Veil, vat iss it?” inquired the proprietor from behind the counter. “Who put you on to this?” demanded Thornley. “I’ve had to stand for it, and I’d like to know. I would that!” MacDonald, sitting beside Thornley, noticed, with some misgivings, a peculiar expression sweep over Dutchy’s face, but to his relief the proprietor’s only reply was a grunt, as he answered a call for more coffee. “By the hokey, I’ll bet it was that red-haired Taggart!” exclaimed Thornley suddenly, turning to the dispatcher. MacDonald buried his face in his cup, ostensibly to drain the last drop, then he set it down quickly and jerked his watch from his pocket. “Holy Moses!” he ejaculated, and fled from the room. An hour later, as Thornley was again sitting with his feet on MacDonald’s desk, Dutchy stuck his head into the room and beckoned to the dispatcher. MacDonald walked across the floor and joined him. Dutchy pulled him out of the room and closed the door. “Dere iss one thing dot I forgotted did,” announced Mr. Damrosch.