Been mixed up in a rotten money scandal or so, don't you know." "So you discharged Birchard," Loring surmised, keenly interested.
"Well, not exactly," replied Eugene.

"You see it wasn't necessary.

We never had definitely appointed him.

Come to think, neither he nor Gresham insisted on it; and, anyhow, the fellow never came back to us." "I see," said Loring softly with a glance at Johnny.

"So, you being without an agent, Gresham kindly consented to act for you--without commission." "Ow, yes, certainly, without commission," agreed Eugene.