Part 1 (2/2)

His lared sullenly as those of a stubborn child Clearly it was i a scene, which was unthinkable For a moment I was at a complete loss; then the croupier's voice sounded suddenly inus, sir”

I silenced hi decided in an instant on the only possible course

”Here, let et it back for you Come!”

He looked at me for a moment in hesitation, then rose without a word and I took his place

The thing was tiresoh, but how could I have avoided it? The blood that rushes to the head of the gambler is certainly not food for the intellect; and, besides, I was forced by circu is more distasteful to a man of sense

But I had a task before me; if a man lays bricks he should lay the of my pulse as I sat down

Is it possible for a mind to directly influence the movements of a little ivory ball? I do not say yes, but will you say no? I watched the ball with the eye of an eagle, but without straining; I played with the precision of a h my selections were really made quite at random; and I handled my bets with the sureness and swift dexterity hich a chess-master places his pawn or piece in position to demoralize his opponent

This told on the nerves of the croupier Twice I corrected a miscalculation of his, and before I had played an hour his hand was treitation

And I won

The details would be tiresome, but I won; and when, after six hours of play without an instant's rest, I rose exhausted from my chair and handed my brother the amount he had lost--I pocketed a few thousands for myself in addition There were soratulations and expressions of admiration, but I shook them off and led Harry outside to my car

The chauffeur, poor devil, was co wait, and I ordered him into the tonneau and took the wheel myself

Partly was this due to pity for the driver, partly to a desire to leave Harry to his own thoughts, which I knewthe drive, which was not long, and I s as I heard, now and then, an uncontrollable sigh break through his dry lips Of thankfulness, perhaps

I preceded him up the stoop and into the hall of the old house on lower Fifth Avenue, near Tenth Street, that had been the horandfather and our father before us There, in the diht, I halted and turned, while Evans approached fro eyes heavy with sleep

Good old Evans! Yet the faithfulness of such a servant has its disadvantages

”Well?” said Harry in a thin, high voice

The boy's nerves were stretched tightly; tords from me would have produced an explosion So I clapped him on the shoulder and sent hi round, and his shoulders drooped like those of an old ed after a few hours of sleep

”After all, he is a La wine and sandwiches to the library

It was theafternoon before Harry appeared down-stairs He had slept eleven hours I was seated in the library when I heard his voice in the hall:

”Breakfast! Breakfast for five at once!”

I smiled That was Harry's style of wit

After he had eaten his ”breakfast for five” he came in to see me with the air of a man as determined to have it out

I myself was in no mood for talk; indeed, I scarcely ever areat sinner You ical if you like; I sha'n't quarrel about it