The very fact that they're a bunch of crooks makes my conscience clear on the point of running my horse.

I'm not cheating them out of a cent.

If Jeff's horse is faster than Smoky, Jeff is privileged to let him out and win if he can.

It isn't my fault if he 's playing to let me win from the whole bunch in the hope that he can hold me up afterwards and get the roll.

It's straight 'give and take'-- and so far I've been taking." Jerry worked for a while, moodily silent.