the negative press did not end, however, as nye and pond threatened to sue riley for causing their tour to end prematurely. they claimed to have lost $20,000. walker threatened a separate suit demanding $1,000. riley hired indianapolis lawyer william p. fishback to represent him and the men settled out of court. the full details of the settlement were never disclosed, but whatever the case, riley finally extricated himself from his old contracts and became a free agent. the exorbitant amount riley was being sued for only reinforced public opinion that he had been mistreated by his partners and helped him maintain his image. nye and riley remained good friends, and riley later wrote pond and walker were the source of the problems.