“That big fellow writing at the table.  His name ’s Albrecht,” suspiciously.  “But see here, I tell you there ain’t any use of your hittin’ him for ‘comps’; he ’s tighter than a drum.”

“‘Comps’?  Oh, ye of little faith!” exclaimed Winston genially.  “It is n’t ‘comps’ I ’m after, Tommy, it’s a job.”

Albrecht looked up from his writing, scowling somewhat under his heavily thatched brows, and revealing a coarse face, with little glinting eyes filled with low cunning.  At that first glance Winston instinctively disliked the fellow; yet he put his case in a few brief sentences of explanation, and, as the other listened, the managerial frown slightly relaxed.

“Actor?” he questioned laconically, when the younger man paused, his glance wandering appreciatively over the sturdy, erect figure.

“Well, hardly that; at least, merely in an amateur way,” and the applicant laughed lightly.  “You see, I imagined you might possibly make use of me in some minor capacity until I learn more about the business.  I don’t care very much regarding pay, but I desire to get a taste of the life.”

“Oxactly, mein frient.”  And the worthy Albrecht became almost briskly cordial in manner.  Perhaps here was an “angel” waiting to be plucked in the holy name of art; at least, he appeared well dressed, looked intellectually promising, and expressed himself as totally indifferent regarding salary.  Such visitors were indeed few and far between, and the astute manager sufficiently understood his business to permit his heavy features to relax into a hearty, welcoming smile.  “Oxactly, young man.  Sit down, und I vill see yoost vat vos pest for us both.  You vould be an actor; you haf the ambition.  Ah!  I see it in your eyes, and it gif me great bleasure.  But, young man, it vos unfortunate dot I haf not mooch just now to gif you, yet the vay vill open if you only stays mit me.  Sure; yaw, I, Samuel Albrecht, vill make of you a great actor.  I can see dot in your face, und for dot reason I vill now gif you the chance.  You begin at the pottom, but not for long; all I vants now vos a utility man—­some one to take small barts, understudy, und be ready to help out mit der scenery und der trunks.  I could not bay moch monies for dot,” and he spread his beringed hands deprecatingly, “but it vos only der first step on der ladder of fame.  Every day I teach you de great art of de actor.  You come with me dot way, mein frient?”

“Certainly; that will be perfectly satisfactory.”

“Ah,” delightedly, “you vos a goot poy, villin’ to learn, I see.  Next season, who knows, you might be leading man if you vork hardt.  I bay you now after one veek’s trial, when I know petter vot you are vort, hey?”

Winston carelessly nodded his acceptance of these rather indefinite terms, his hands thrust into his pockets, his gray eyes smiling their appreciation of the situation.  Albrecht was deliberately looking him over, as he might a horse he had just purchased.