
Hastings stood with lips twitching. The news of his dismissal troubled him. Yet the frail young man felt
that he had reached the end of an ordeal. As secretary to Philo Dreblin, he had served a most irritable
employer.
"Yes, Hastings," grumbled Dreblin, "you have been inefficient. Intolerably so! Like the half a dozen others
who have held your job during the past few months. It seems that I shall never manage to hire a secretary
with brains."
"I have tried my best, sir -"
"Apologies are unnecessary, Hastings. I have made due allowance for your shortcomings. The job has
proven too stiff for you; that is all. I realize that effort has not been lacking."
"Therefore" - Dreblin paused, and Hastings stared at sight of a smile that was almost kindly - "I have
arranged other employment for you, Hastings. You will remain here for a few days. After that, you will
work in the New York office of the Calthite Company."
"Thank you, sir!" exclaimed Hastings. The secretary's face showed a relieved smile. "This is generous of
you, Mr. Dreblin. I shall be very much pleased -"
"Pleased to get away from here," interposed Dreblin, dryly. "Well, Hastings, I cannot blame you. I
suppose that I am something of a slave-driver. Well, now that your future is settled, you can go back to
your present task. Continue to arrange my correspondence. I shall summon you if I require you."
Hastings bowed himself out, closing the door behind him.
PHILO DREBLIN glowered from behind the desk. After a short interval he arose, tiptoed to the door
and opened it suddenly, as though expecting to find Hastings listening from the other side.
Finding no sign of the secretary, Dreblin looked about an empty outer room; then stepped back in his
study, closed the door and locked it. A satisfied smile showed on the big man's lips.
Moving to the bookcase, Dreblin withdrew three heavy volumes from a lower shelf. He found a hidden
button, pressed it, then replaced the books. Returning to the desk, Dreblin sat down and waited
expectantly.
Two minutes passed. A muffled click came from the wall. An upright section of the bookcase swung into
the room. A tall man stepped into view, nodded his greeting, then swung the bookcase shut. After that,
he approached the desk.
Philo Dreblin's visitor was a man with a shrewd, pointed face. His fox-like expression contrasted with
Dreblin's square, heavy-browed countenance. Yet it was plain that the two had some enterprise in
common - one that required secrecy.
For Dreblin's first action was a warning gesture that caused the fox-faced newcomer to sidle to a chair.
Rising from the desk, Dreblin moved over to the door, stooped there and listened cautiously. Satisfied
that Hastings was not outside, Dreblin returned to the desk.
"All right, Nethro," stated Dreblin, in a guarded rumble. "We can talk. No one is eavesdropping."
The visitor was striking a match with his left hand. He applied the flame to a cigarette, shook the match
until it went out, then tossed the burned stick toward an ash tray on the desk. Drumming the woodwork
with his right hand, he surveyed Dreblin curiously.