“I would rather speak with you, sir.”
“How is that?” asked Mr. Fairchild, his attention excited.
“I will tell you, sir,” said the bookkeeper, with an ugly look. “This man came here yesterday and declined to pay his rent, because, he said, he had paid it already.”
“And I had,” said Long, quietly. “I am a mechanic on small wages, and I can’t afford to pay my rent twice.”
“Did you pay the rent to Mr. Mullins?”
“Yes, sir.”
“When?”
“Day before yesterday.”
“Then he gave you a receipt?”
“He did, sir.”