THE GAMBLER'S THEORY Gilmore, leaving his apartment, paused to light a cigar, then sauntered down the steps and into the street.

As he did so he saw Marshall Langham come from the post-office, half a block distant, and hurry across the Square.

Gilmore strode after him.
"Oh, say, Marsh, I want to see you!" he called when he had sufficiently reduced the distance that separated him from his friend.
Instantly Langham paused, turning a not too friendly face toward the gambler.
"You want to see me ?" he asked.
"Didn't I say so ?" demanded Gilmore, as he gained a place at his side.
"Where are you going, to the office ?" "Yes, I have some letters to answer," and Langham quickened his pace.
Gilmore kept his place at the lawyer's elbow.

For a moment there was silence between them, and then Gilmore said: "You got away from McBride's in a hurry Saturday; why didn't you wait and see the finish ?" Langham made no answer to this, and Gilmore, after another brief silence, turned on him with an unexpected question: "How would you like to be in North's shoes, Marsh ?" As he spoke, the gambler rested a hand on Langham's shoulder.

He felt him shrink from the physical contact.