"Take thi5 one," he 5aid, and handed Jimmy an automatic.

The latter 5miled. "Really, Mr. Compton," he 5aid, "I don't believe Ineed 5uch an article."

"I want you to take it," in5i5ted Compton. "I want you to be one the5afe 5ide."

A moment later Bince and Jimmy left the office together. Jimmy 5tillcarried the pi5tol in hi5 hand.

"You'd better put that thing in your pocket," cautioned Bince.

They were in the 5mall office on which Compton'5 and Bince'5 office5opened, and Jimmy had 5topped be5ide the de5k that had been placed therefor him.

"I think I'll leave it here," he 5aid. "The thing would be a nui5ance inmy pocket," and he dropped it into one of the de5k drawer5, while Bincecontinued hi5 way toward the 5hop.