“I have that humble honor, most respected sir.” “You can break a man’s bones as if they were pipe-stems?” “It is true, that which you speak. If such should be my wish, noble sir, I could swiftly obtain its accomplishment.” “You are giving exhibitions here in Baltimore, and thus far you have by your art defeated all who have ventured to face you on the stage.” “It is with accuracy that you have made this statement. Such has been my exceeding good fortune.” “Do you want to make some money?” “It is for that purpose, highly intelligent sir, that I am traveling in your most interesting country.” “I’ll give you five hundred dollars to break a man’s arm!” cried Fillmore. Hashi smiled blandly. “Such an accomplishment may not be obtained unless the opportunity occurs. Even then it may not be secured without much trouble making of extreme seriousness, wise and respected sir.” “But it might be done in a contest? You might do it if you were matched against another man.” “It might then by accident be made to appear.” “That’s it—that’s the idea!” “But five hundred dollars—the amount is small in its exceedingness, discreet sir.” “Five hundred dollars—it’s a good price. I will undertake to arrange it for you to meet this man I wish injured. If you break his arm, I’ll give you five hundred.” “Is this to be accomplished on the platform in the view of the audience?” “Oh, no; I won’t want you to do it in the theatre. I intend to arrange a private meeting.” “In what place is this to be, distinguished sir?” “In a club.” “When do you bring it about?” “To-night.” “It is extremely soon.” “No time is to be lost. Will you do it?” “Five hundred dollars—the amount does not to me appear a sufficient sum. Your generosity should increase it when you apprehend the trouble which may after it occur. If I should be placed in the arrest and prevented from my engagement at the theatre fulfilling it would to me be a misfortune.” “There is no danger of anything of the sort. Can you break a man’s leg?” This seemed to be an afterthought on the part of Fillmore. “It is in no degree a difficult accomplishment to obtain, distinguished sir.” “Then that’s what I want—that’s what I want!” cried Fillmore. “A man can’t walk into church to be married with a broken leg.” “The remuneration should be exceedingly larger, accomplished sir. For an arm five hundred is extremely insufficient. For a leg one thousand would be the smallest amount I could humbly accept.” Fillmore thought a moment. He did not have a thousand dollars. In his pocket there was something more than six hundred, and five hundred of this he had obtained by skillfully raising a check given him by his mother. “I’ll go you!” he suddenly cried. “A thousand dollars if you break the man’s leg.” “I should humbly expect the money in advance, generous sir.” “And then give me the throwdown! What if you failed to make good? What if you could not do the trick?”