“You are attempting a game that will hardly work here,” said Sharpman, severely.  “You will find yourself earning two hundred dollars for the state in the penitentiary of your native city if you persist in that course.”

“Very well, sir; you have heard my story, you have my ultimatum.  You are at liberty to act or not to act as you see fit.  If you do not choose to act it will be unnecessary for me to prolong my visit.  I will have to rise early in the morning, in order to get the first Wilkesbarre train, and I must retire without delay.

  “The adage of the early bird,
  My soul from infancy has stirred,
  And since the worm I sorely need
  I’ll practise, now, that thrifty creed.”

Rhyming Joe reached for his hat.

Sharpman was growing anxious.  There was no doubt that the fellow might hurt them greatly if he chose to do so.  His story was not an improbable one.  Indeed, there was good reason to believe that it might be true.  His manner tended to impress one with its truth.  But, true or false, it would not do to have the statement get before that jury.  The man must be detained, to give time for further thought.

“Don’t be in a hurry,” said Sharpman, mildly; “let’s talk this matter over a little more.  Perhaps we can reach an amicable understanding.”

Rhyming Joe detected, in an instant, the weakening on the lawyer’s part, and increased his audacity accordingly.

“You have heard my proposition, Mr. Sharpman,” he said; “it is the only one I shall make, and I must decline to discuss the matter further.  My time, as I have already intimated, is of considerable value to me.”

“But how can you expect me to decide on your proposition without first consulting my client?  He is in Wilkesbarre.  Give us time.  Wait until morning; I’ll go down on the first train with you.”

“No, I don’t care to have Old Simon consulted in this matter; if I had cared to, I should have consulted him myself; I know where he is.  Besides, his interest in the case is very small compared with yours.  You are to get the lion’s share, that is apparent, and you, of course, are the one to pay the cost.  It is necessary that I should have the money to-night; after to-night it will be too late.”

Sharpman arose and began pacing up and down the room.  He was inclined to yield to the man’s demand.  The Burnham suit was drawing rapidly to a successful close.  If this fellow should go on the witness-stand and tell his plausible story, the entire scheme might be wrecked beyond retrieval.  But it was very annoying to be bulldozed into a thing in this way.  The lawyer’s stubborn nature rebelled against it powerfully.  It would be a great pleasure, he thought, to defy the fellow and turn him into the street.  Then a new fear came to him.  What would be the effect of this man’s story, with its air of genuineness, on the mind of so conscientious a boy as Ralph?  He surely could not afford to have Ralph’s faith interfered with; that would be certain to bring disaster.