'Dr. Ephraim Peters,' said the young man with the sparkling gray eyes. 'Who admitted you?' continued Hiram. 'I had a pressing errand of life and death, and could not wait for a formal presentation.' 'What is your business?' Dr. Peters took a seat with considerable deliberation, while Hiram waited, with a displeased look, for him to reply. 'You are the owner of the block of 'model houses,' as they are called?' Hiram nodded. 'A patient of mine, a laboring man, is one of your tenants. He broke his leg a few months ago, falling from a scaffolding. He has had hard work to live since. Thursday his wife was taken ill. Yesterday was rent day--he pays monthly in advance. He could not get the money, and your agent refuses to give him any grace. Now what I want to say is, the poor woman can't be moved without danger to her life.' 'Well?' 'Well,' echoed the other, 'I want to get an order from you to let her remain.' 'See the agent.' 'I have seen him; and, what is more, although I am poor enough myself--for I am just starting, you see, in New York--I offered to pawn my watch and pay the rent myself, but the man would not take it.' 'No?' 'No, he would not. He said they had gone over the time, and he did not want tenants who depended on charity to pay rent; besides he said he was afraid the woman was going to die, and he did not want a death in the building--it would give it a bad name.' The young man paused, with the air of one who had made a successful argument, and was waiting for an auspicious result. The only notice Hiram took of him was to say, in a decided tone, as he resumed his calculations, 'I can't interfere.' 'CAN'T interfere!' said the other, with naive astonishment. 'Why, what do you mean? It will kill the woman, I tell you! You _must_ interfere.' 'Young man, you forget yourself. I repeat, go to the agent. I shall not interfere.' 'Well, well,' said the young physician, rising, 'I have heard of hard hearts and cruel men who grind the faces of the poor, but you are the first I have seen. I don't envy you, though. I would not stand in your shoes for a good deal.' While Dr. Ephraim Peters was delivering himself of the above, Hiram had struck a small bell which stood before him, and a young man entered in response to the summons just as the doctor concluded. 'Holmes, send for a policeman.' 'Yes, sir.' And Holmes withdrew to execute the commission. 'Do you mean that for me?' exclaimed the young doctor, choking with passion, while the gray eyes flashed dangerously. Hiram made no reply, but occupied himself intently with the figures before him. 'I say,' said the other, in a louder tone, 'do you mean that for me? I suppose you do, and I have half a mind that the errand shall not be for nothing. Yes, I have _more_ than half a mind to break every bone in your worthless body!' He looked at that moment, with his clenched hand, erect figure, and energetic presence, quite capable of carrying out the threat.