'Oh, never mind; he's a cursed knave, anyway. I shall quit him first of January—keeps me on promises and the lowest kind of a salary, and no end of the dirty work—'
'Such as sham sales of my employer's paper sold A.H. Hill,' interrupted Hiram, dryly.
'Hallo! where did you get hold of that?' said Hill, laughing.
Hiram made no reply; and Innis entering at this moment, the subject was changed.
Hill, who had already imbibed more than was good for him, ordered a brandy toddy; and Hiram, true to his temperance principles, partook of a cup of hot coffee. Before the toddy was half finished, Hill, who was already illustrating the proverb that 'children, fools, and drunken men speak truth,' commenced again about his employer, Joslin.
'Really, Mr. Hill, I don't think you ought to refer to your confidential relations with your principal,' said Hiram, gravely. He knew, cunning fellow, it would only be adding fuel to the fire.
'You be——,' said Hill. 'I tell you what it is, Innis: here's a sell. I'm fairly come over. He is on Joslin's track—I know it, and I'll own up.' He thereupon proceeded to give a general account of Joslin, and how he did business, and what a cowardly, lying knave he was.
Innis laughed. Hiram was quiet, but he did not miss a word. The little supper was finished, and the trio rose to depart.
'I had no idea it was so late,' said Innis.
'Have you far to go?' said Hiram.