“Let him wait,” said Murray. “I’m not quite ready for him yet. If he tries to leave, jump on his back and hold him.” After a time the messenger returned with the man for whom he had been sent, and Murray immediately took him into his private office and shut the door. “Mr. Leckster,” he said abruptly, “how much of a rebate did Mays give you on the policy you took out with us?” Leckster was plainly mystified and frightened. “Out with it!” commanded Murray. “Your policy isn’t worth the paper it’s written on unless the matter is straightened out mighty quick. How much was the rebate?” “I don’t understand,” said Leckster, already nearly terror-stricken. “How much of his commission did he give to you to get you to take out a policy?” “Oh, he give me a half.” “Leckster,” said Murray, “that was against the law. If any other policy-holder hears of it and wants to go into court, he can nullify your policy and get half of the fine that will be assessed against us for the act of our agent. If you want to make your policy unassailable, you must refund that rebate. Now, go home and think it over.” Then he sent word to Mays that he was ready to see him. “Mays,” he said abruptly, “what was your scheme?” “Sir!” exclaimed Mays. “What was your scheme?” “Surely you must be joking, sir,” protested Mays. “I have no scheme.” “Why did Tainter,” replied Murray in deliberate tones, “a friend of yours, put in his application through another solicitor?” “He didn’t know I was in the insurance business until he came up here to be examined.” “Then why did you fail to recognize each other until you got out in the hall where you thought you were unobserved?” Mays did not even hesitate. Evidently he had prepared himself for this. “Another man had got his application,” he said, “and I was afraid it would look as if I were trying to interfere in some way. I did nod to him, but very likely it wasn’t noticed.” “What are your relations with Schlimmer?” persisted Murray. “Oh, I got into a little business deal with him, for which I am sincerely sorry. I’m trying to get out now.” “Insurance?” asked Murray. “No, sir; it had nothing whatever to do with insurance.” Murray was thoughtful and silent for several minutes. “Mays,” he said at last, speaking slowly, “I don’t know whether you’re worth saving or not. You’ve got in with a bad crowd and you’re mixed up in a bad deal. But you impressed me favorably when you came here, and I think you are capable of being legitimately successful. Of course, you lied to me about your mother—” “I was very anxious for the job, sir.” “I quite appreciate that, although your motive for wanting the job will hardly bear close scrutiny. Still, you are young and I am anxious to give you another chance. Now, tell me the whole story.” “There is nothing to tell, sir,” Mays replied with an ingenuous air. “Your words and insinuations are a deep mystery to me.” “Think again,” advised Murray. “I know the story pretty well myself.”