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We can play as long as we please and turn in when we get ready." "I have taken advantage of your hospitality so often I'd rather cry off," said Thatford. "Oh, nonsense! come on. What do you say, Dunne?" The intimacy under the influence of the wine had progressed so far that the men addressed each other as though they had been friends for years.
"You must excuse me, gentlemen; I am a stranger. I cannot thrust myself upon you." "It's no thrusting; we would be glad to have you join us. Thatford and I are no strangers in New York. Really, I am glad to have met you. I know a good fellow when I meet him. I am a sort of mind reader in picking out thoroughbreds." "If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will decline your invitation.
Although you are not entitled to any consideration this affair shall be conducted as though you were really a gentleman. Thatford, will you act as the fellow's second?" "I must respectfully decline," said Thatford. "I am not acting as second in an affair of honor for a low-bred spy and sneak." The lackey meantime had prepared himself for the affray, and Girard had produced two dueling swords.
"Here we are," said Girard. "All right," responded Oscar. "Say, my friend," suggested Thatford, "we must not play for large stakes. Remember I am not a rich man; I can't lose like some of you golden bucks." "I never play for big stakes," said Girard. The men entered the house and Girard said: "My gambling box is on the top floor. There I don't annoy my neighbors." "All right," said Oscar.
His suggestion was only a "flyer." He knew the men did not wish to go to a hotel. It was a part of their game to draw him to some place where they could open up the scheme they had in their minds. "I have a friend who always keeps open house." Thatford laughed and said: "Yes, a pretty close friend. You want us to go to your bachelor quarters." "Well, why not at my rooms?
The men did assume that he and his party had departed and they commenced talking, and our hero was at hand to overhear them talk. Girard was the first speaker. "Great Scott!" he ejaculated, "who was looking for this? We are boys greenhorns compared to that fellow and a tale is told." "Yes, a tale is told," said Thatford. "We thought we had everything dead under cover.
It looked serious indeed, but there was also an element of farce in the whole affair. "I will excuse Mr. Thatford from acting as my second." "Will you accept me?" demanded Girard. "No, I will not accept you. I anticipated that you fellows might be part of a gang of thieves and I prepared to meet you. No, no, gentlemen, you have not got this all your own way.
He desired to let the men draw him, believing that while they were playing their little trick he might work a little on his own hook. "Hang it!" said our hero, "I am not in the habit of staying away from my home all night, but since I've started in I don't care what I do for the rest of the night." "Where can we go?" asked Thatford. "To some hotel. We will take a room," suggested Oscar.
When the curtain went down on the last act Girard said: "Thatford, you will have to excuse me to-night. I see a lady friend here. I may receive an invitation to dine with the party she accompanies." "I won't excuse you," said Thatford. "Our friend here will keep you company." "No, you must go with me." "Where will you go?" "To the Brunswick." "I may join you later."
Oscar, having set out to be led, rose from the table, cashed in his checks, as his whilom friend did, and followed to the sideboard where they were joined by the second man, and number one said: "My friend Thatford. I don't know your name, sir." "Woodford Dunne," answered our hero promptly. "Yes, I've heard the name.
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