"That's a hard old place to satisfy," remarked Peter. "Can't be worse than the grafters of this old city," returned Dalls. "Don't be pessimistic, Jim." "Don't like to be; but, I say, there'll be a reckoning up some day, I suppose, when the people once wake up, and find out what is going on in this old town." "Ah, the people; the dear people," answered Peter; "they don't know enough to eat mud pies." "Why, haven't they been fed on them a long time, eh, Peter? Their stomachs will revolt at the mess sometime, Peter; then, look out!" "Have no fear, Jim; have no fear; they'll never catch us," replied Peter, with confidence in his secureness behind the throne of graft. "But, nevertheless, it is rotten business, Peter; rotten business, and I am tired of playing the game," said Dalls. "Oh, I'm not; I'll play it till I die," returned Peter, with a bravado air. "You can afford to, Peter; it's been a gold mine to you and your backers. But to me? Look at me! Nothing is all I get--nothing but a pittance." "You are paid well, Jim," said Peter, severely. "Paid well; yes; but it takes it all to keep those below me in line." "Well, what more do you want, Jim?" "Nothing--I'm quitting the business." "Ho! you are? You can't quit, Jim; you can't. If you do, what'll become of the ring?" asked Peter, now for the first time bringing his reasoning faculties into play in connection with such a probable event. "Bust, I suppose," replied Dalls. "Never!" exclaimed Peter. "I am going to quit, I tell you, Peter." "How much do you want to go away from here?" asked Peter, rubbing and squinting. "Ten thousand," replied Jim Dalls, slowly. "You are cheap," said Peter. "Come around tomorrow, when I will pay you and furnish a ticket for you to Europe." "Agreed, Peter! Shake! I always knew you'd be on the square with me. But put it down in writing," returned Dalls, with less gloom pictured in his face than when he entered. "I never put anything down in writing, Jim; particularly such things as we have been discussing. I consider my word good, Jim," answered Peter, palaveringly. "I'll take you at your word, then, Peter." "Very well; you have been a good lieutenant, Jim, and we don't like to lose you. But if you have scruples on the matter, Jim, I want you to leave--get out of the country, and stay out till I call you back. Jim, do you understand?" "Just so I get the cash, I'll go anywhere, Peter," answered Jim Dalls. "That will do, then, Jim; come tomorrow at two," said Peter. "You have a mighty obnoxious clerk out here," said Dalls, rising to go away. "Oh, he's all right, Jim; you know the password, and didn't give it," replied Peter. "That's my fault, then," answered Dalls, as he stepped into the shop, there to encounter the angry look of Eli, who was at that moment waiting on a customer, or otherwise there might have been another little affray, on the spot.