"A likely story," sneered James Talbot. "I believe that boy sent you to my wife with a message." "You can think as you please," cried Palmer hotly. "I have told you the plain truth. But I guess Robert will have to send a private messenger, since his letters don't reach his mother." The shot told, and James Talbot grew pale for the moment. Then he recovered himself. "I won't stand any of your slurs, young man. I reckon you are no better than Robert." "I don't want to be any better than Robert. He's a first-rate fellow." "He is an impudent cub." "That is only your opinion." "I am his step-father, and in the eyes of the law I am as a real father to him. Yet instead of minding me he openly defies me." "I don't know but what I would do the same," answered Palmer coolly. "I want to do what is right by him--make something of him--but he won't let me do it." "He is able to take care of himself." "No, he is not. Sooner or later he'll be going to the dogs." "He told me all about how you had treated him. I don't blame him for leaving home, although it may be possible that he would have done better by sticking to his mother." "Do you mean to insinuate that his mother may need him?" "I don't wonder if she does, Mr. Talbot. As I understand the matter she is rich." "Well?" "It would be a great temptation for some husbands to try to get that money in their own hands." James Talbot grew crimson. "You insult me!" he ejaculated. Livingston Palmer shrugged his shoulders. "You can take it as you please. I didn't stop you. You ran into me and knocked me down." "Where are you going?" "That is my affair." "You are going to call upon Robert." "Perhaps I am." "If you do, let me warn you not to talk about me and my wife. Did she send the boy a message?" "If she did I shan't deliver it to you," answered Livingston Palmer, and proceeded on his way. James Talbot gazed after him in anger and disappointment. "Another who is against me," he muttered. "I must hurry my schemes, or it will be too late to put them through." Livingston Palmer had just reached Mrs. Gibbs' boarding house when he met Robert coming out, on his way to see Herman Wenrich about the map. "Robert!" cried the former clerk. "I'm glad I caught you." "Why, Livingston, I thought you were on the road," returned Robert, as he shook hands. "Not much! No more theatrical life for me," said Palmer. "What, have you had enough already?" "Yes, and got it in your native town, too." "In Granville?" "Exactly. We opened in Granville and we busted in Granville," said Palmer, and in such a dubious fashion that our hero could scarcely keep from laughing outright. "What, has the Dixon Combination Comedy Company gone to pieces?" "It has--at least so far as I am concerned. Dixon isn't going to show again until the performers have rehearsed for another couple of weeks."