"Young man," said Mr. Bangs sternly, "I am inclined to think you are deceiving me."
"No," said Quin with spirit, "I haven't deceived you; but I did lie to Miss Eleanor's aunt over the telephone."
"What was your object?"
"Well, I couldn't tell her Mr. Bartlett was stewed, could I?"
Mr. Bangs gave a short, contemptuous laugh. "As I thought," he said. "That will do."
But Quin had no intention of going until he had spoken a word in his own behalf. The idea had just occurred to him that by obtaining a position with Bartlett " Bangs he could add another link to the chain that was to bind him to Eleanor.
"You don't happen to have a job for me?" he inquired of the back of Mr. Bangs's bald, dome-like head.
"A job?" repeated Mr. Bangs, glancing over his shoulder at Quin's uniform.
"Yes, sir. I'm out of the service now."
"What can you do?"