Vixley looked at him curiously and raised his eyebrows. "Is that so? I didn’t know as you was in a position to dictate to me, Doc, but maybe you are—you never can tell!" "I can just everlastingly saw you off with Payson if I want to; that’s what I can do!" Masterson rubbed in. "How?" "Through something I found out to-day, that’s how." "I guess I could call that bluff on you, Masterson, if I wanted to. We got him sewed up in a sack. You can’t touch us there." "Lord, I can blow you sky-high!" He arose and made as if to walk to the door. "And, by the Lord Harry, I’ll do it, too! I’ve given you a fair chance, you remember that!" Vixley took water hastily. "Oh, see here, Doc, don’t go to work and be hasty! You know it was only Gertie who wanted to freeze you out. I don’t say it’s impossible to make a deal, only I don’t want to buy a pig in a poke, do I? I can’t talk business till I know what you have to offer." "Oh, you’ll find I can make good all right," said Masterson, returning to his seat with his hat on the back of his head. "See here; as I understand it, you’re working Payson on the strength of something about this Felicia Grant, he was supposed to be sweet on. Is that right?" "Well, suppose we are, just for the sake of the argument. What then?" "Now, they was a little boy living with her, and he disappeared. Am I right?" "You got it about right; yes." Vixley’s eyes sparkled. "Well, then; what if I know who that boy was, and where he is now? How would that strike you?" "Jimminy! Do you?" Vixley cried, now fairly aroused. "I don’t deny that might make considerable difference." "I should say it would! I should imagine yes! Why, you simply can’t do nothing at all till you know who he is, and what he knows! And I got him! Yes, sir, I got him!" "Who is he?" Vixley asked, with a fine assumption of innocence. Masterson laughed aloud. "Don’t you wish’t you knew?" he taunted. "I’ll let you know as soon as we come to an agreement. What d’you think about that partnership proposition now?" "Good Lord, ain’t I told you all along I was willin’? It was only Gertie prevented me takin’ you in before! Sure! I’m for it. Gertie’s in a bad way, and I doubt if she’ll be able to do anything for a long time, even if she should recover. Meanwhile, of course, I got to live. It won’t do to let Payson slip through our fingers. Let’s shake on it, Doc; I’m with you. You help me out, and we’ll share and share alike." "Done!" said Masterson. "I kind of thought I could make you listen to reason. Now you can tell me just how the land lays with Payson." "Wait a minute! You ain’t told me who the kid is, yet." Masterson hesitated a moment, unwilling to give up his secret till he had bound the bargain, but it was, of course, obviously necessary. He leaned toward his new partner and touched Vixley on the knee. "It’s Frank Granthope!"