“’Some device that will call attention to his bar-room, is what is wanted,’ remarked one.

“Yes, that is plain enough,’ replied old Adams, who seemed to be a kind of head devil there—­’but what shall it be?  That’s the question!’

“‘Suppose we put him up to getting a woman to walk a plank,’ suggested one.

“’No.  That has been tried already; and if it is tried again so soon, these temperance men will cry, humbug!’

“‘How would it do for him to get a pretty girl behind his bar.’

“’That might do.  But then, his wife is a sort of religious woman, and wouldn’t let him do it.’

“Couldn’t we induce him to poison her, and so get her out of the way?’

“’No—­That’s out of the question.  He kind of likes the woman too well for that.’

“‘What, then, do you suggest?’

“’Some new drink will be the thing.  Something that will tickle the ear at the same time that it tickles the palate.  It will be a great thing, if, in this matter, we can kill two birds with one stone.  Bring back by some new attraction the wavering ones, and turn the tide of custom in the direction of our very particular friend Mr. Graves.’

“‘Have you thought of a name for it?’

“‘No.’

“‘How would Ambrosia do?’ suggested one.

“‘Not at all,’ replied old Adams.  ’It aint the thing to catch gulls now-a-days.  And more than that, it isn’t something new.’

“‘What do you think of Harlequinade?’

“‘That might answer; but it’s been used, already.’

“‘Fiscal agent?’

“‘The same objection.’

“‘Mummy?’

“‘The same.’

“‘Cobbler?’

“‘Good, but stale.’

“‘Greaser?’

“’No’—­And Adams shook his head emphatically.

“‘Sam Weller?’

“‘Been used already.’

“‘Veto?’

“‘That too.’

“‘Hardware?’

“‘Likewise.’

“‘What do you think of Elevator?’

“’That might do; but still I can’t exactly say that I like it.  It should be something to strike the popular idea.’

“‘Sub-Treasury, then?’

“That’s it, exactly!  Sub-Treasury—­Sub-Treasury.  Let it be called Sub-Treasury!  And now, as I have more power over Graves than any of you, let me have the managing of him.’  And so saying, Adams seemed to go away, and remain, for a day or two.  When he came back, all the devils gathered around him full of interest to hear of his success.  They greeted him, first, with three wild, infernal cheers, full of malignant pleasure, and then asked,

“‘What news?  What news from earth?’

“‘Glorious!’ was his response.  And then another wild yell of triumph went up.