“Give me the pleasure of letting me tell you that there is no joker.” Bill looked steadily at Mr. Thompson and said, “I didn't think there was any.” “But now you know it,” said Thompson. “And I want to say that Tommy here is my partner--” began Bill. “That's all nonsense,” interjected Tommy, quickly. “Yes,” agreed Mr. Thompson, very seriously, “that's all nonsense. But both of you had better look a long time before you swap that kind of nonsense for wisdom. Don't be brothers in business if you want to be rich and lonely. Bill, Tommy is buncoing us out of thirty dollars a week. Is that enough for you?” “It's more than enough,” said Bill, eagerly. “Then it is just enough to be contented with. Get to work as soon as you can. You have no time to waste, because from now on Byrnes is working for Byrnes. It will suit me down to the ground. Draw up your own contract and bring it here.” Bill looked at Thompson. Then he said, resolutely, “I will!” “Both of you go somewhere now and talk it over. Tommy, I'll see you to-morrow about your own work. I've got a man-sized job for you. Good morning.” Thompson nodded and, turning to his desk, pushed one of the row of call-buttons. His attitude showed he expected no further speech, so they left the room without another word. Outside Tommy turned to Bill. “What did I tell you--hey?” “You poor pill, do you think I've worked here two years for nothing? You bet I'll get a hustle on. Do you think we ought to get a lawyer?” “Yes; he meant what he said. You needn't worry about the price he'll pay for your invention. Just get to work.” “What is your job going to be?” asked Bill, curiously. “I don't know. But I hope--” Tommy caught himself on the verge of expressing the hope that it would be something which might enable him to bury the secret once for all. “What do you hope, Tommy?” “That you will land with both feet, now that you have a decent place to experiment in,” said Tommy. He couldn't say anything else to poor Bill, could he? It wasn't his secret to share with anybody, and, anyhow, he meant what he said. Mr. Thompson did not make his appearance at the works until late in the afternoon. He told Tommy: “You'll have to dine with me to-night, Tommy, Will you?” “Yes, sir.” Then realizing that he merely had obeyed a superior, he added, in his personal capacity, “Delighted!” “Has Bill done anything?” “He consulted Mr. Williams.” Thompson shook his head. “He is our lawyer.” “That's why Bill picked him out,” said Tommy. He felt like adding that he thought Bill considered that the Thompsonian thing to do. Thompson looked at him meditatively.