"Couldn't you send him any more?" asked Jacob. "I sent for him," said Peter, now looking at Jacob with an air of supercilious gravity. "God man! what do you mean? Do you mean to ruin us all?" shouted Jacob, excitedly. "Be calm, Jacob; be calm, and save your nerves for what is coming," said Peter, gently. "He came by my request, and is to make a confession before the grand jury--at my request, too. So if you want to save your old bacon, pull down your shaky house of graft and hit the trail for Europe; for you will be the first one caught in the net, Jacob." "Oh, Lord man! What do you mean? This is awful! This is horrid! This is terrible! Exposed by my chief deputy like that! I'll never forgive you, Peter! Never! And when it blows over, I shall return and cook you a dish that you won't relish!" cried Jacob, now in a frenzy of excitement. "Why, I am safe from harm," said Peter, calmly. "What did you do it for?" asked Jacob, in great anger. "To be plain to you, sir, I may state that that's my business," said Peter, cooly. "Then, we part enemies?" asked Jacob, with a daggerous look. "We do--if you want to; but, Jacob, you'd better take my humble advice, and go to Europe as quick as you could skin a cat. You know the whole thing will come out anyway when that bank affair is known, which I am assured will be exploded soon, and then the whole shooting match will be busted." "You had better call on heaven to help you, Peter, when I return--if I go," said Jacob, rising, and leering down upon the king, who sat looking at the floor now, in quiet thought. "I am not afraid of you, or any one else, Jacob," responded Peter, looking up. "I am a domesticated man now, Jacob, and intend to enjoy the rest of my days right here, in this house, with my wife and ten children." "You scamp!" hissed Jacob, snarling down upon him, like one dog snarls at another dog with the prize bone. "Take my advice, Jacob, and go home," said Peter, looking sidewise at Jacob. "You'd better be there packing your grip than standing here calling me hard names. Europe is the safest place for you for the next ten years; so go. I can take care of myself." "Things have come to a nice pass," said Jacob, "when a man can't enjoy the comforts of a home in this age without every upstart wanting to interfere in his business!" "It's a nasty business that of yours," said Peter, remorselessly. "I've been tired of it for a long time, and wanted my chance to get out. The chance has come, and I am getting." "You are an ingrate," replied Jacob, wrathfully. "Being entrenched yourself with safety lines thrown out, so that no one can invade your private affairs, you care nothing for your friends who have divided with you for years. An ingrate! An ingrate, I repeat, Peter! I shall go, and may those vapid detectives who have been here for months trying to make a break in our lines, find you out, and help to punish you."