Before he changed his coat Bob was at his side.
"Mr. Wheatcroft he wants to see you now in a hurry," said the boy.
Major Van Zandt paled swiftly, and steadied himself by a grasp of the railing.
"Does Mr. Wheatcroft wish to see me?" he asked, faintly.
"You bet he does," the boy answered, "an' in a hurry, too. He came bright an' early this morning a-purpose to see you, an' he's been a-waiting for two hours. An' I guess he's got his mad up now."
When the old book-keeper with his blanched face and his faltering step entered the private office Mr. Wheatcroft wheeled around in his chair.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" he cried. "At last!"
"I regret that I was late this morning, Mr. Wheatcroft," Van Zandt began.
"That's no matter," said the employer;—"at least, I want to talk about something else."
"About something else?" echoed the old man, feebly.