The False Gods



be entered from any of the four bounding
streets.
  Simpkins regarded knocking on doors and
sending in cards as formalities which served
merely to tempt people of a retiring disposition
to lie, so when he walked into the waiting-
room and found it deserted, he passed through
it quickly and opened the door beyond. But
if he had expected this manceuver to bring him
within easy distance of the person whom he
was seeking, he was disappointed. He had
simply walked into a small outer office. A
self-sufficient youth of twelve, who was stuffed
into a be-buttoned suit, was its sole occupant.
  "Hello, bub !" said Simpkins to this Cerberus
of the threshold. "Mrs. Athelstone in" and
he drew out his letter of introduction; for he
had instantly decided to use it in place of a
card, as being more likely to gain him ad-
mittance.
  "Aw, fergit it," the youth answered with
fine American independence. "I'll let youse
know when your turn comes, an' youse can
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