ccommodation down there, and for the
best class,--I mean MY customers. What we want is an extension to the
main building, and two or three cottages put up. I send down a builder
to take hold of the job at once. He takes his sick wife with him; and
you are to look after them as you would for one of us.

"I may run down there myself after the races, just to look after things;
but I sha'n't set up any game this season.

"Yours always,

"JOHN OAKHURST."

It was only the last sentence of this letter that provoked criticism.
"I can understand," said Mr. Hamlin, a professional brother, to whom Mr.
Oakhurst's letter was shown,--"I can understand why Jack goes in heavy
and builds; for it's a sure spec, and is bound to be a mighty soft thing
in time, if he comes here regularly. But why in blank he don't set up a
bank this season, and take the chance of getting some of the money back
that he puts into circulation in building, is what gets me. I wonder
now," he mused deeply, "what IS his little game."

The season had been a prosperous one to Mr Oakhurst, and proportionally
disastrous to several members of the legislature, judges, colonels,
and others who had enjoyed but briefly the pleasure of Mr. Oakhurst's
midnight society. And yet Sacramento had become very dull to him. He had
lately formed a habit of early morning walks, so unusual and startling
to his friends, both male and female, as to occasion the intensest
curiosity. Two or three of the latter set spies upon his track; but the
inquisition resulted only in the discovery that Mr. Oakhurst walked to
the Plaza, sat down upon one particular bench for a few moments, and
then returned without seeing anybody; and the theory that there was a
woman in the case was abandoned. A few superstitious gentlemen of his
own profession believed that he did it for "luck." Some others, more
practical, declared that he went out to "study points."

After the races at Marysville, Mr. Oakhurst went to San Francisco; from
that place he returned to Marysville, but a few days after was seen at
San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Oakland. Those who met him declared that his
manner was restless and feverish, and quite unlike his ordinary calmness
and phlegm. Col. Starbottle pointed out the fact, that at San Francisco,
at the club, Jack had declined to deal. "Hand shaky, sir; depend upon
it. Don't stimulate enough--blank him!"

From San Jose he started to go to Oregon by land with a rather expensive
outf