of me, Marsh."

"I am not likely to forget them, you give me no chance," rejoined
Langham bitterly.

"Why should I, eh?" asked Gilmore coolly. He leaned back in his chair
and stared at the ceiling above his head. "Marsh, what was that North
was saying about me when I came down the hall?" and his swarthy cheeks
were tinged with red.

"I don't recall that he was speaking of you."

"You don't? Well, think again. It was about our going up to your house
to-night, wasn't it? Your wife's back, eh? Well, don't worry, I came
here partly to tell you that I had made other arrangements for the
evening."

"It's just as well," said Langham.

"Do you mean your wife wouldn't receive me?" demanded Gilmore. There
was a catch in his voice and a pallor in his face.

"I didn't say that."

Gilmore's chair resounded noisily on the floor as he came to his feet.
He strode to the lawyer's side.

"Then what in hell _do_ you say?" he stormed.

In spite of himself Langham quailed before the gambler's fury.

"Oh, keep still, Andy! What a nasty-tempered beast you are!" he said
pacifically.

There was a pause, and Gilmore resumed his chair, turning to the window
to hide his emotion; then slowly his scowling glance came back to
Langham.

"He said I was a common card-sharp, eh?" Langham knew that he spoke of
North. "Damn him! What does he call himself?" He threw the stub of his
cigar from him across the room. "Marsh, what does your wife know about
me?" And again there was the catch to his voice.

Langham looked at him in astonishment.

"Know about you--my wife--nothing," he said slowly.

"I suppose she's heard my name?" inquired the gambler.

"No doubt."

"Thinks I rob you at cards, eh?" But Langham made no answer to this.
"Thinks I take your money away from you," continued the gambler. "And
it's your game to let her think that! I wonder what she'd think if she
knew the account stood the other way about? I've been a handy sort of a
friend, haven't I, Marsh? The sort you could use,--and you have used me
up to the limit! I've been good enough to borrow money from, but not
good enough to take home--"

"Oh, come, Andy, what's the use," placated Langham. "I'm sorry if your
feelings are hurt."

"It's time you and I had a settlement, Marsh. I want you to take up
those notes of yours."

"I haven't the money!" said Langham.

"Well, I can't wait on you any longer."

"I don't see but that you'll have to," retorted Langham.

"I'm g