Part 14 (2/2)
”Who is the villain?”
”Harry Gilbert, a low, impudent upstart.”
”Yes, I know; used to be in the grocery store, didn't he?”
”Yes.”
”What's he done now?”
”Oh, it's too long a story to tell. He was impudent to me, that's all. I would like to annoy him in some way.”
”Get him into a sc.r.a.pe, eh?”
”Yes.”
”Perhaps we can think of some way. If you haven't anything better to do, come up to my room and play cards.”
”I don't mind.”
Soon afterward the two were sitting at a small table in Congreve's bedroom at the hotel, playing poker.
This is essentially a gambling game, and for that reason it was a special favorite with James Congreve. He was much more than a match for Philip, whom he had initiated into the mysteries of the game.
”How much do I owe you, Congreve?” asked Philip, as they sat down to their unprofitable employment.
”I don't know, exactly; I've got an account somewhere,” answered Congreve, carelessly.
”It must be as much as ten dollars,” said Philip, rather uneasily.
”Somehow, you always have more luck at the cards than I do.”
”Luck will change in time. Besides, I am in no hurry for the money.”
”I only wish an allowance of two dollars a week. Father will only give me half of it, and mother makes up the rest. So it would take five weeks to pay you, and leave me without a cent to spend.”
”Probably you won't have to pay it at all. You may win it all back to-day.”
Thus encouraged, Philip began to play, but was as unlucky as usual. He rose from the table owing Congreve five dollars more than when he sat down. ”Just my luck!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Philip, with a long face. ”Just look up the account and let me know what it all amounts to.”
Congreve made a little calculation, and announced, in apparent surprise, that Philip owed him twenty-two dollars.
”It can't be!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Philip, in dismay.
”There's no doubt about it,” said Congreve. ”However, don't trouble yourself about it. I can wait. And now for your affair with this Gilbert boy. I've got an idea that I may prove serviceable to you.”
During the next fifteen minutes a wicked plot was devised, of which it was intended that Harry should be the victim. The particulars must be reserved for the next chapter.
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