Steve went, not to a theatre, but to bed.  In the morning, after a few inquiries, he sauntered round to get his bearings.  He made these explorations afoot, opining that, at first, the use of street cars or the “L” would tend to confuse his orientation.  He contented himself with locating 25 Broad Street, without presenting his letter.  Incidentally, he left most of his cash in a safe-deposit drawer.  “For,” he mused, “the touching attachment of my open-handed, prepossessing friend may not always ad-here to the lofty plane recognized by business ethics.  He may, at any time, abandon the refined and artistic methods of high finance for primitive, crude and direct means unworthy of his talents.  The safe side of a safe is the inside of a safe.”

So back by the water-front, where he spent a pleasant and interesting forenoon.  At one o’clock there were still no signs of Mitchell.  So Steve, Mahomet-like, sought his office.

The mise-en-scene was admirable.  A well-littered desk, two ’phones, code-book, directory, typewriter, file-books, a busy bookkeeper, a fair stenographer—­no detail was omitted.  Mitchell, pacing the floor, paused in his dictation to give him a cheerful greeting.

“Hello, Thompson—­up already?  Just sit down till I’m through here, will you?  Most done.  How’d you like to walk around the docks?  That ought to interest you.  All right—­thought it would.  I’ve got some business at No. 4.  Make yourself at home.  There’s the papers—­Ready, Miss Stanley?” Clearing his throat, he put a hand under his coat-tails and resumed dictation: 

“’Melquiades Sandoval y Hijos, Montevidio.  Gentlemen:  Your order shipped to-day by steamer Escobar as per your esteemed favor of the 5th.  Invoices inclosed.  In the item of mowing machines, was unable to fill order with Nonpareil as desired.  Have taken liberty of substituting fifty Micas, the Mica being the same in every respect except the name plate.  In fact, the two firms, with others, have a “gentleman’s agreement” sharing patents, keeping up separate plants only to preserve the appearance of competition. (Confound it—­excuse me, Miss Stanley—­there’s my hobby again.  Shouldn’t have said that, but let it go.) Trusting you will find this satisfactory in every particular, and hoping to be favored by your future orders, I am, etc.’—­Got that?  Next!

“’Brown, Small & VanRiper, Hartford, Ct.  Gentlemen:  Inclosed find my check for $27,000, to be used in the matter we discussed the other day.  Kindly send papers to my lawyers, Reed, Reed, Perkins & Reed.

“’Am sorry I cannot more largely avail myself of the privilege so kindly extended me.  At the present, however, my capital is tied up in various enterprises, and I am really crowding myself to raise this.  Thanking you for past favors, etc.’—­Here’s the last.  ’Mr. Joseph Yates, Rehobeth Beach, Delaware.  Dear old Joe:  Sorry to hear of your undeserved bad luck.  While not exactly a financial Napoleon these days, I am able to accommodate you, and glad to do so.  Have not forgotten the time you helped me out of a mighty tight place.  Draw on me for $10,000 through the Marine.  Take your time for repayment.  If this is not enough, let me know.  Kind regards to the wife—­and take care of yourself, old man.  In haste, your old friend——­’