gambler laughing.
"What's the use? Here, I've got to go to the office, Andy--" and he
sought to release himself, but Gilmore retained his hold.
"I suppose you are going to see North?" he asked.
Langham came to a sudden stop.
"What's that?" he asked hoarsely.
"You have been his intimate for years; surely you are too good a friend
to turn your back on him now!"
"If he wants me, he'll send for me!" muttered Langham.
"Do you mean you aren't _going_ to him, Marsh?" asked the gambler with
well simulated astonishment.
"He knows where I'm to be found," said Langham, striding forward again,
"and, damn it, this is no concern of yours!"
"Well, by thunder!" ejaculated Gilmore.
"I don't need any points from you, Andy!" said Langham, with a sullen
sidelong glance at his companion.
They had crossed the Square, and Langham now halted at the curb.
"Good-by, Andy!" he said, and shook himself free of the other's
detaining hand.
"Hold on a minute, Marsh!" objected Gilmore.
"Well, what is it, can't you see I am in a hurry?"
"Oh, nothing here, Marsh--" and striding forward, Gilmore disappeared in
the building before which they had paused.
For an instant Langham hesitated, and then he followed the gambler.
A step or two in advance of him, Gilmore mounted the stairs, and passing
down the hall entered Langham's office. Langham followed him into the
room; he closed the door, and without a glance at Gilmore removed his
hat and overcoat and hung them up on a nail back of the door; the
gambler meanwhile had drawn an easy chair toward the open grate at the
far end of the room, before which he now established himself with
apparent satisfaction.
"I suppose the finding of the coroner's jury doesn't amount to much," he
presently said but without looking in Langham's direction.
The lawyer did not answer him. He crossed to his desk which filled the
space between the two windows overlooking the Square.
"You're damn social!" snarled Gilmore over his shoulder.
"I told you I