“Easily twenty years ago,” continued Jadwin. “If Hargus could come to life now, he’d be surprised at the difference in the way we do business these days. Twenty years. Yes, it’s all of that. I declare, Sam, we’re getting old, aren’t we?”

“I guess that was Hargus you saw out there,” answered the broker. “He’s not dead. Old fellow in a stovepipe and greasy frock coat? Yes, that’s Hargus.”

“What!” exclaimed Jadwin. “ That Hargus?”

“Of course it was. He comes ’round every day. The clerks give him a dollar every now and then.”

“And he’s not dead? And that was Hargus, that wretched, broken⁠—whew! I don’t want to think of it, Sam!” And Jadwin, taken all aback, sat for a moment speechless.