A man sat at the desk placing figures on a sheet of paper. He
obtained the figures from statistics pencilled on three thin leaves
of beech-wood riveted together. In a chair by the stove lounged a
bulkier figure, which Thorpe concluded to be that of the "old man."

"I was sent here by Shearer," said Thorpe directly; "he said you
might give me some work."

So long a silence fell that the applicant began to wonder if his
question had been heard.

"I might," replied the man drily at last.

"Well, will you?" Thorpe inquired, the humor of the situation
overcoming him.

"Have you ever worked in the woods?"

"No."

The man smoked silently.

"I'll put you on the road in the morning," he concluded, as though
this were the deciding qualification.

One of the men entered abruptly and approached the counter. The
writer at the desk laid aside his tablets.

"What is it, Albert?" he added.