"But I haven't the money to pay in advance."
"Oh, that alters the matter," said Higgins, become less gracious. "How much have you?"
"I am unable to pay anything," said Jed desperately.
Mr. Hugo Higgins turned away, no longer interested in Jed. Poor Jed felt sadly disappointed at losing so good a chance, but something happened to mitigate his regret.
A stout man with red hair opened the door of the office and dashed in, carrying in his hands a large package.
"I want my money back!" he said. "You are a big schwindler!"
CHAPTER XXVII. AN INTRACTABLE AGENT.
The new visitor was a large man, evidently a German, weighing not less than two hundred pounds. He approached Hugo Higgins, towering above the dwarf by at least fourteen inches, and shook his fist in his face. Mr. Higgins shrank back as if fearful of a personal assault, and inquired in uneasy tones: