"You
have important matters on hand."
"This is especially important," urged Bob.
"It is absolutely impossible. Come two months later, and I'll be glad
to lay you off as long as I can."
"This particular affair is most urgent business."
"Private, of course?"
"Not entirely."
"Couldn't be considered official?"
"It might become so."
"What is it?"
"That I am not at liberty to tell you."
Thorne considered.
"No; I'm sorry, but I don't see how I can spare you."
"In that case," said Bob quietly, "you will force me to tender my
resignation."
Thorne looked up at him quickly, and studied his face.
"From anybody else, Orde," said he, "I'd take that as a threat or a
hold-up, and fire the man on the spot. From you I do not. The matter
must be really serious. You may go. Get back as soon as you can."
"Thank you," said Bob. "It is serious. Three days will do me."
He set about his preparations at once, packing a suit case with linen
long out of commission, smoothing out the tailored clothes he had not
had occasion to use for many a day. He then transported this--and
himself--down the mountain on his saddle horse.
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