"Now, Tom, my boy," repeated Reid, with a short and somewhat scornful laugh, "it's no good for us two to quarrel. We both know too much, and we may as well make the best of the situation. And what I was about to propose is this: My two thousand pounds I will ha'; but what about you going into partnership with me and making the capital four thousand? We could do something with that, and then old Ormsby, the lawyer, would not be surprised any longer at yer wanting the money." Henderson swore a bitter oath, and cursed the man before him. "Do your worst!" he cried. "I'd rather go to the bottomless pit as have anything more to do with you." "Ye'll find yer'self there most likely, whether ye have anything to do wi' me or not," retorted Reid. "It's no good swearing and cursing, my friend Tom; ye've got the rope round yer neck, remember, if I choose to pull it." Again Henderson swore a tremendous oath. "Come, come, it's all very fine using big words," continued Reid, "but they're not business, and I mean business. I think we could start very well on four thousand, and ye'd best think it over, for I've been looking about me, and I think I know a fellow who would let me his place cheap, as he's a bit down in his luck at present." "And you've been talking about this to other people, have you?" asked Henderson, savagely. "What do you suppose they will think? Where did you get the money? they will ask." Reid winked one of his shrewd brown eyes. "I've thought of all that, my boy," he answered, "and I've been throwing out hints lately that a relation in Australia has died and left me money." "I wish you would go there," said Henderson, eagerly catching at the idea of getting rid of his incubus. "Australia's just the country for you, Reid. With your capital you are sure to do well there, whereas this racing stable business is an immense risk." "I mean to try it, for all that," answered Reid, sturdily, "and I don't mean to be got rid of so easily as to be pushed off to Australia or anywhere else. No, I mean to try my luck where I am, and you'd best think over the proposal I've made. However, partnership or no partnership, I must ha' the second thousand by next week, so ye must raise it as best ye can." A savage, almost murderous, gleam shot from Henderson's eyes as the man spoke, and Reid noticed this. "That kind of thing won't do for the like o' me," he said, significantly. "It's all very well with a poor helpless lass, but it's man to man wi' us, and I'd back myself against ye." Again that terrible look passed over Henderson's face, but with a great effort and an inward oath he suppressed the words that rose to his lips. "This man and I shall not live together on the earth," he silently swore, and from this hour he never forgot his vow.