" Then, of a sudden, to Bruce: "Don't twirl your
thumbs--that way. Do it backward--backward! It--it's a sure sign
of--disaster to twirl your thumbs--forward."
"All right," grunted the big fellow; "backward it is." And he reversed
the motion.
"Thank you," breathed Mr. Slush, with a show of relief. "Now, I'll tell
you--why I called. I--er--saw a young man--leaving this room--a few
minutes ago."
"Yes."
"Mr. Bloodgood."
"Yes."
"I--I have taken an interest in--Mr. Bloodgood. I--I think he is--a
rather nice young man."
"I don't admire your taste," came from Jack.
"Eh? I don't know him--very well. You understand. Met him--in the
smoking-room. Sometimes I--er--play cards--for amusement. Met him that
way."
"Does he play for amusement?" asked Frank.
"Oh, yes--ah--of course. That is--he--he likes--a little stake."
"I thought so."
"I--I don't mind that."
"Great Scott!" thought Merry. "I don't see how he ever gets round to
play cards for money. I shouldn't think he'd know what to do. It would
take him so long to make up his mind."
"But I--I don't care to make a--a companion of anybody about whom I
know--nothing. That's why I--came to you. I--I thought it might be you
could give me--some information--about Mr. Bloodgood."
"You've come to the wrong place."
"Really? Don't you know--anything about him? You are--er--well
acquainted with him?"
"On the contrary, to-day is the first time we have ever spoken to him.
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