"Well, let's be public benefactors then," said Dennis in a melancholy tone.
"And such a beautiful idea," said Dink mournfully.
"I move the Third Triumvirate disband," said the Tennessee Shad; and there was no objection.
"Now," said Doc Macnooder briskly, sitting down, "I'll put my own proposition to you amateurs. There's only one way to make the thing go, and I've got the way. I take all responsibility and all risks. All I ask is control of the stock—fifty-one per cent."
Ten minutes later the Third Triumvirate Manufacturing Company was reformed on the following basis:
| President | Doc Macnooder, 51 shares. |
| Advisory Board | The Third Triumvirate. |
| Treasurer | Doc Macnooder. |
| Paid-up Capital | |
| Macnooder | $5.10 |
| The Tennessee Shad | 1.70 |
| Dink Stover | 1.70 |
| Dennis de B. de B. Finnegan | 1.50 |
"Now," said Macnooder, when the articles were safely signed and the capital paid up, "here's the way we work it. We've got to do two things: first, conceal the way it's done until we sell it; and second, keep those who buy from letting on."
"That's hard," said the Tennessee Shad.
"But necessary. I'm thinking out a plan."
"Of course the first part is a cinch," said Dennis. "A few extras, etcetera, etceteray. It's putting the ribbons in the lingerie, that's all."