“Yes, it was,” said Mike. “You said so yourself. Didn't he, Jim?”
Jim, who was also a confederate, but had agreed to accept twenty-five cents in full for services rendered, promptly answered:
“Shure, Mike's right. It was a prize he drew.”
“You want to chate me!” said Teddy, angrily.
“What have you been doin' all the mornin'?” demanded Mike. “You're the chap to talk about chatin', ain't you?”
“I'll give you twenty-five cents,” said Teddy, “and that's all I will give you.”
“Then you've got to fight,” said Mike, squaring off.
“Yes, you've got to fight!” chimed in Jim, who thought he saw a chance for more money.
Teddy looked at his two enemies, each of whom was probably more than a match for himself, and was not long in deciding that his best course was to avoid a fight by running. Accordingly, he tucked all the money into his pocket, and, turning incontinently, fled down Liberty street, closely pursued by his late confederates. Paul came up just in time to hear the termination of the dispute and watch the flight of his late business rival.
“I guess Teddy won't go into the business again,” he reflected. “I may as well take my old stand.”