There are advantages in having a record like mine, you see." "It would, of course, be a kindness to the lad's people--but the young fool is scarcely worth it, and it's not your affair," said Dane reflectively.
Winston guessed the drift of the speech, but he could respect a confidence, and laughed a little.

"It's not often I have done any one a good turn, and the novelty has its attractions." Dane did not appear contented with this explanation, but he asked nothing further, and the two sat watching the men about the table, who were evidently growing eager.
"That's two hundred the kid has let go," said somebody.
There was a murmur of excited voices, and one rose hoarse and a trifle shaky in the consonants above the rest.
"Show you how a gentleman can stand up, boys.

Throw them out again.
Two hundred this time on the game!" There was silence and the rustle of shuffled cards; then once more the voices went up.

"Against him! Better let up before he takes your farm.

Oh, let him face it and show his grit--the man who slings around his hundreds can afford to lose!" The lad's face showed a trifle paler through the drifting smoke, though a good many of the cigars had gone out now, and once more there was the stillness of expectancy through which a strained voice rose.
"Going to get it all back.