Without going into detail to any great extent, the two men made the following agreement: Handy engaged to put up his experience and the services of the company against the landlord's capital. That is, mine host of the inn was to defray all the expenses of the undertaking, including cost of transportation, board, and lodging for the company that was to supply the entertainment. Of whatever came in the landlord was to take half and Handy the other half. From his share of the proceeds Handy was to make good to the company. "It seems to me," remarked Handy, "we stand a purty fair chance to do something here. But, say, we haven't yet seen the hall or theatre or ranch we're goin' to show in." "That's so," replied his companion. "Let's just cut across lots here and go and see Ed McGowan. This way," and they made a bee-line through a field. "Ed McGowan," repeated Handy. "Who is he?" "Big Ed? Why, he bosses the job of the crack gin-mill of the outfit, and runs things." "A good man," says Handy, "to be on the right side of, if he's all right." "Is it Ed? You bet! Why, Ed is the Pierpont Morgan of the whole lay-out. He's nobody now, apparently, but wait 'till he gets his fine work in an' he'll own the whole shooting-match. Mark what I'm a-tellin' you." "Is the hall convenient to his laboratory?" quizzically inquired Handy. "Darned if I know. When I was up here a couple of weeks or so ago Ed told me he was goin' to put up a hall or something where the boys, as he called them, could have a dance or a slugging match, or a show,--any old thing, in fact, that came along in the way of diversion and amusement." "Say, boss," said Handy, somewhat puzzled, "are you serious or are you stringin' me?" "I don't understand." "We start even, then, for blow me if I understand you." "Please explain yourself." "I'll do my plainest!" "Skip the prelims and get down to facts. I ask you to point out the hall we're to give the show in, and you treat me to a ghost story about some fellow named Ed McGowan who thinks about putting up one where the boys can have a dance, see a show, take part in a slugging match or indulge in any other eccentricities too superfluous to enumerate. I confess I have been on many wild-goose chases in my somewhat long and varied career, but this takes the gingerbread. Now let me ask you frankly, is there a hall at all, at all, in the place?" "I don't know." "Great Caesar's ghost! What? Don't know? Say, is there an Ed McGowan, then? Boss, I'm growin' desperate," and the veteran looked as if he was. "Sure there is," replied the landlord, with a laugh. "Then for the Lord's sake lead me out of this wilderness of doubt into his presence."