“Mr. Pitkin?”

“Of course.”

Mr. Pitkin was still in his little office, and Phil made his way directly to him.

“May I speak to you, sir?” asked our hero.

“Be quick about it then, for I am in a hurry,” answered Pitkin, in a very forbidding tone.

“Why am I discharged, sir?”

“I can't go into details. We don't need you any longer.”

“Are you not satisfied with me?”

“No!” said Pitkin brusquely.

“In what respect have I failed to satisfy you, sir?”