IN WHICH JOHNNY TRIES TO MIX BUSINESS WITH SKAT Louis Ersten, who puffed redly wherever he did not grayly bristle, met Johnny Gamble half-way.

Johnny's half consisted in stating that he had come to see Mr.Ersten in reference to his lease.

Mr.Ersten's half consisted in flatly declining to discuss that subject on the premises.
"Here--I make ladies' suits," he explained.

"If you come about such a business, with good recommendations from my customers, I talk with you.
Otherwise not." "I'll talk any place you say," consented Johnny.

"Where do you lunch ?" "At August Schoppenvoll's," replied Mr.Ersten with no hint of an intention to disclose where August Schoppenvoll's place might be.