[1] The "Leopard Man", a saddened leopard trainer who bore visible scars on his arms and whose personality diametrically opposed his daring profession, tells a tale of a "lion-tamer who was hated by another man" to the narrator.
After pointing out the patience of such a task, the Leopard Man jumped to a story about De Ville, a small "sword-swallowing and juggling Frenchman" known for his quick temper.
De Ville struck fear in all but one, 'King' Wallace, a lion-tamer known for sticking his head in the lion's mouth.
Still watching the events, the Leopard Man noticed De Ville, with his handkerchief drawn, walk past Wallace and feign wiping sweat off his face.
During his performance, Wallace cracked his whip and put his head inside the mouth of Augustus, his preferred lion.