ney; what will you gain by ruining me?" demanded
Langham. He wished to impress this on Gilmore, and then he would propose
as a compromise the few hundreds it would be possible to borrow from
North.

"To get square with you, Marsh, will be worth something, and frankly, I
ain't sure that I ever expected to see any of that money, but as long as
you stood my friend I was disposed to be easy on you."

"I am still your friend."

"Just about so-so, but you won't keep Moxlow--"

"I can't!"

"Then I can't see where your friendship comes in." Gilmore quitted his
chair.

"Wait, Andy!" said Langham hastily.

"No use of any more talk, Marsh, I want my money! Go dig it up."

"Suppose, by straining every nerve, I can raise five hundred dollars by
the end of the month--"

"Oh, pay your grocer with that!"

Langham choked down his rage. "You haven't always been so contemptuous
of such sums."

"I'm feeling proud to-day, Marsh. I'm going to treat myself to a few
airs, and you can pat yourself on the back when you've dug up the money
by the end of the month! You'll have done something to feel proud of,
too."

"Suppose we say a thousand," urged Langham.

"Good old Marsh! If you keep on raising yourself like this you'll soon
get to a figure where we can talk business!" Gilmore laughed.

"Perhaps I can raise a thousand dollars. I don't know why I should think
I can, but I'm willing to try; I'm willing to say I'll try--"

Gilmore shook his head.

"I've told you what you got to do, Marsh, and I mean every damn word I
say,--understand that? I'm going to have my money or I'm going to have
the fun of smashing you."

"Listen to me, Andy!" began Langham desperately.

"Why take me into your confidence?" asked the gambler coldly.

"What will you gain by ruining me?" repeated Langham fiercely.

The gambler only grinned.

"I am always willing to spend money on my pleasures; and besides when
those notes turn up, your father or some one else will have to come
across."

Langham was silent.

The Just and the Unjust

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