“Quite so.” Jarge nodded slowly. “Of course, of course! That was during the time of my employment with the Fall River Company. Since you have recalled it, I remember the incident perfectly.”
They had stepped out of the elevator now and were standing in the hall.
“Then you are no longer in the services of the——” Mr. Lydecker began.
“I resigned a month ago,” Jarge interrupted. “I have since started in business for myself. I have opened a chain of offices between Boston and New York.”
“Is that so?” exclaimed Mr. Lydecker. “And where——”
“Straight ahead of you, sir.” Jarge waved indifferently toward a door at the end of the hall. “That is my headquarters for Hudson and the surrounding district.”
Mr. Lydecker followed the hand, and read the black letters on the glass door of the office.
“Well, well,” he remarked, “this is pleasing news. I sincerely trust you will find success in your new venture, Mr. Jarge.”
“Thank you. I believe I have made a good beginning.” He paused reflectively, as if his thoughts were a thousand miles away. “And now, if you will pardon me, Mr. Lydecker,” he announced, “I will be hurrying back to my desk. There are so many details to arrange and so much——”
“Certainly, certainly,” broke in the other. “I understand, of course. And—and possibly, later on, I might have a little work for you myself, Mr. Jarge.”