It was "The Ring of Bells," one of his horror stories, and it was an even five thousand words.

And, since first-class magazines always paid on acceptance, there was a check inside.

Two cents a word--twenty dollars a thousand; the check must be a hundred dollars.
One hundred dollars! As he tore the envelope open, every item of all his debts surged in his brain--$3.85 to the grocer; butcher $4.00 flat; baker, $2.00; fruit store, $5.00; total, $14.85.

Then there was room rent, $2.50; another month in advance, $2.50; two months' type-writer, $8.00; a month in advance, $4.00; total, $31.85.

And finally to be added, his pledges, plus interest, with the pawnbroker--watch, $5.50; overcoat, $5.50; wheel, $7.75; suit of clothes, $5.50 (60 % interest, but what did it matter ?)--grand total, $56.10.