d behind to see if the negro had followed, but that burly
individual had disappeared.

The upper hall-way was as dark as below, but from under several doors a
bright light was streaming.

Hal approached the first one he came to, and, removing his hat, tried
the handle.

The door came open, and Hal peered into the apartment.

No one was present, but a young man asleep in an arm-chair, and Hal
stepped inside.

The room was gorgeously furnished, costly rugs covering the floor, and
heavy curtains hanging over the doors. On the walls were beautiful
paintings, and on a stand to one side of the room rested a remarkable
piece of statuary representing three jolly gamblers at the gaming-table.

"It must be some sort of a waiting-room," thought Hal. "I wonder who the
fellow asleep in the chair is?"

He gave a slight cough, and the young man slowly opened his eyes.

"Did anybody call me?" he asked, in a heavy tone.

"Where is the playing-room, please?" asked Hal.

"Eh? playing-room?" repeated the young man. "Go right in the next room."

He pointed with his finger, and bowing, Hal did as directed.

The sight that met Hal's eyes as he opened the door filled the youth
with wonder. He had often heard of such places, but he had never dreamed
of them being as they are. He saw a long hall, brilliantly lighted.
Crowded about the table, some standing and some sitting, were young men
and old, all intent on the games that were going on.

The table was piled with money, which seemed to change hands rapidly,
for the resort was a well-known one among club men.

"What do you make it?"

"A twenty, Charley."

Hal recognized the last voice. It was that of Mr. Caleb Allen!

The boy looked at the man. There was an excited appearance upon the
broker's features.

"He looks as if he has been losing," thought Hal. "I wonder how much he
has staked?"

No one appeared to notice his coming, and he stood just back of the
crowd, taking in everything so far as it concerned Allen.

The game went on, and Allen lost. Then the broker played once more, and
lost again.

"A hundred this time," he said.

The broker played with extreme caution, as indeed did all of the others.
In consequence the game lasted fully quarter of an hour.

Hal saw by the broker's actions that the game was going against the man,
and he was not surprised, when the play ended, to hear that Allen had
lost.

Allen turned away from the table. As he did so he came face