Gideon carried the news to Palmer that Alfred and Jake had combined and at any time they saw him look toward liquor they intended to give him a thrashing. Whether Gideon understood this to be the attitude of Alfred and Jake toward Palmer or whether he used the threat to deter the drunkard, is not certain. Its effect was to so embitter Palmer that he set about getting rid of Jake at once. Mrs. Palmer was assured by Alfred that no such threat had ever been indulged in by Jake or himself. After he had exhausted all subterfuges, Palmer grudgingly gave Jake the one hundred dollars. Alfred was behind the scenes of the panorama dressing his sore arm. He had been thus occupied for some time when Palmer and Gideon entered and resumed a conversation they had evidently begun previously. Gideon seemed in doubt and fearful: "But how will you manage to get rid of him?" was the question he put to Palmer. "You leave that to me and don't you give him any more money; stand pat the next time he approaches you." "But he is a partner in the concern. If he went to law he could compel you to make an accounting from the time we began." "What do you think I am?" and Palmer looked at Gideon in disgust. "Don't imagine for one moment of your innocent, unnecessary life that I would sell a Reuben like Jake or anyone else a third interest in this panorama for six hundred dollars. Jake has no interest excepting in the profits until he is paid six hundred dollars. After the six hundred dollars is paid he has no further claim upon me. I could pay him six hundred dollars and kick him out today, or if the panorama did not make six hundred dollars this tour he would get nothing." "Well, it's best you pay Jake the six hundred dollars and get rid of him honestly," answered Gideon. "I'll get rid of him. It's a hell of a nice business to carry two men with you that threaten if you don't carry yourself straight they will thrash you. I am justified in doing anything to free myself and the law will uphold me in it." "Well, you will be compelled to get another man if you dispense with Alfred," urged Gideon. "Oh, I can run into Baltimore and get a dozen people if I want to. However, I'd like to keep the boy; he's useful and you can trust him. But he's the damndest, greenest kid that I ever met to have had the experience he has." "Well, he's a pretty good boy. He did all your work the night you were not here and your wife says he did it well; the boy has talent." "Talent, hell! That's not talent; that's nerve. That's why I say he's green. Did he ever say anything to you about his arm where I bit him?" inquired Palmer. "No; only to say it was pretty sore."