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Compton looked at his watch. "It is getting late, Harold," he said, "and this is

pay-day. I should think Everett could help you with the pay-roll." Everett was the

cashier.

"I prefer to do it myself," replied Bince. "Everett has about all he can do, and

anyway, I don't like to trust it to any one else." And realizing that Compton did

not care to discuss the matter of the efficiency expert further Bince returned to

his own office.

The following afternoon the office boy entered Mr. Compton's office. "A gentleman

to see you, sir," he announced. "He said to tell you that he came in reply to your

advertisement."

"Show him in," instructed Compton, and a moment later Jimmy entered--a

rehabilitated Jimmy. Upon his excellent figure the ready-made suit had all the

appearance of faultlessly tailored garments. Compton looked up at his visitor,

and with the glance he swiftly appraised Jimmy--a glance that assured him that

here might be just the man he wanted, for intelligence, aggressiveness and

efficiency were evidently the outstanding characteristics of the young man before

him. After Jimmy had presented himself the other motioned him to a chair.

"I am looking," said Mr. Compton, "for an experienced man who can come in here

and find out just what is wrong with us. We have an old-established business

which has been making money for years. We are taking all the work that we can

possibly handle at the highest prices we have ever received, and yet our profits

are not at all commensurate with the volume of business. It has occurred to me

that an experienced man from the outside would be able to more quickly put his

finger on the leaks and stop them. Now tell me just what your experience has

been and we will see if we can come to some understanding."

108

The Efficiency Expert