13 LOFER STREET, Tuesday, 9.30 A.M.

Certainly not; dogs have fleas.  The man is an impostor.  Oblige me by turning him out.  I shall come down this afternoon—­early.

P.S.—­Don’t listen to the rascal’s entreaties; out with him!

Henry Inxling, Bookkeeper, to Peter Pitchin, Editor.

“STINGER” OFFICE, Tuesday, 12 M.

The gentleman carries a revolver.  Would you mind coming down and reasoning with him?  I have a wife and five children depending on me, and when I lose my temper I am likely to go too far.  I would prefer that you should turn him out.

Peter Pitchin, Editor, to Henry Inxling, Bookkeeper.

13 LOFER STREET, Tuesday, 2 P.M.

Do you suppose I can leave my private correspondence to preserve you from the intrusion and importunities of beggars?  Put the scoundrel out at once—­neck and heels!  I know him; he’s Muskler—­don’t you remember?  Muskler, the coward, who assaulted an old man; you’ll find the whole circumstances related in last Saturday’s issue.  Out with him—­the unmanly sneak!

Henry Inxling, Bookkeeper, to Peter Pitchin, Editor.

“STINGER” OFFICE, Tuesday Evening.

I have told him to go, and he laughed.  So did the bull-dog.  But he is going.  He is now making a bed for the pup in one corner of your room, with some rugs and old newspapers, and appears to be about to go to dinner.  I have given him your address.  The foreman wants some copy to go on with.  I beg you will come at once if I am to be left alone with that dog.

Peter Pitchin, Editor, to Henry Inxling, Bookkeeper.

40 DUNTIONER’S ALLEY, Wednesday, 10 A.M.

I should have come down to the office last evening, but you see I have been moving.  My landlady was too filthy dirty for anything!  I stood it as long as I could; then I left.  I’m coming directly I get your answer to this; but I want to know, first, if my blotter has been changed and my ink-well refilled.  This house is a good way out, but the boy can take the car at the corner of Cobble and Slush streets.

O!—­about that man?  Of course you have not seen him since.

William Quoin, Foreman, to Peter Pitchin, Editor.

“STINGER” OFFICE, Wednesday, 12 M.

I’ve got your note to Inxling; he ain’t come down this morning.  I haven’t a line of copy on the hooks; the boys are all throwing in dead ads.  There’s a man and a dog in the proprietor’s office; I don’t believe they ought to be there, all alone, but they were here all Monday and yesterday, and may be connected with the business management of the paper; so I don’t like to order them out.  Perhaps you will come down and speak to them.  We shall have to go away if you don’t send copy.

Peter Pitchin, Editor, to William Quoin, Foreman.

40 DUNTIONER’S ALLEY, Wednesday, 3 P.M.