* ^NNI "SOME ONE HAS BETRAYED US." Frontispiece. Page 196. THE GAMBLERS A STORY OF TO-DAY BY CHARLES KLEIN AND ARTHUR HORNBLOW Authors of the Novels "The Lion and the Mouse,'* "The Third Degree," " John Marsh's Millions," etc. ILLUSTRATIONS BY C. E. CHAMBERS G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY PUBLISHERS NEW YORK THE GAMBLERS CHAPTER I riXTRA! Big Bank Failure! Extra!!!" i 7 Half a dozen ragged, hoarse-voiced, whisky-visaged messengers of misfortune, colloquially known as "calamity howlers," shuffled along Fifth Avenue with rapid, sinister gait, crying in lugubrious, raucous tones their tidings of dis- tress : "Big Bank Wreck! Extra! Extra!!" Bent almost double by the weight of newspapers, breathless from their unusual exertions, each striv- ing furiously to outsell his fellow, the vendors halted here and there and, from points of vantage on the curb, handed out papers to ready purchas- ers, who, nervous and anxious eyed, crowded around and eagerly snatched the copies not yet dry from the press The Avenue, this glorious Autumn afternoon, presented its customary aspect of fashionable ac- tivity. From Twenty-third Street to the magnifi- 7 THE GAMBLERS cent new Public Library, and as far north as Cen- tral Park, the sidewalks were thronged with styl- ishly dressed, well-bred men and women. Society was sunning itself, glad of the occasion to show off its clothes. Fat dowagers with pampered pet poodles, handsome young matrons, society debu- tantes, millionaires, powerful Wall Street mag- nates, prominent politicians, bankers, lawyers, mer- chants, musicians, authors, painters, playwrights all these, the elite of the American plutocracy, men and women conspicuous in finance, politics, litera- ture and art were on parade, promenading up and down with leisurely nonchalance. Laughing and talking, they passed and repassed, now entering or leaving the luxuriously appointed shops, now stopping to exchange a word with a passing ac- quaintance, now saluting friends who swept swiftly by in motor cars a curious, cultured crowd, an ever-changing, intermingling, always interesting kaleidoscope of fashion. Out in the roadway, where hundreds of smart automobiles and handsome equipages were hopelessly entangled, stalwart mounted policemen regulated the congested traffic by a mere gesture of their white-gloved hands. 8 THE GAMBLERS "Extra! Big Bank Failure! Extra!!!" The dismal, mournful cry, taken up in succession in different funereal keys by each professional "croaker," was singularly depressing and disturb- ing. Purposely indistinct and incoherent, the vag- abonds' jargon was so unintelligible that it was impossible to guess the nature of the extraordinary news which occasioned so much ado, but there was no mistaking in their melancholy tones the sombre accents of disaster. Like a dreadful, long-drawn- out human wail, it told of sudden calamity, some unexpected and dire catastrophe. The promena- ders on the Avenue, instantly seized by an uneasy, uncontrollable feeling of apprehension and inse- curity, stopped and listened, straining ears to make sense out of the discordant sounds. Pauper and plutocrat, all for the nonce were on an equal foot- ing. Danger of some sort threatened. Men looked anxious; women nervous. A bank in trouble? It might be their depositary! Immediately filled with misgivings, they pictured the worst. Perhaps every dollar they possessed in the world was gone. A tall, handsome girl, of aristocratic appearance and richly gowned in clinging chiffon velvet with 9 THH GAMBLERS a large plumed picture hat, ran up to a man who was passing. "Oh, Jim!" she exclaimed nervously. "I'm so glad I met you ! Do tell me what those horrid men are shouting. All I can make out is 'Bank.' I'm so worried! I hope nothing's happened to my bank." James Darwin looked up in pleased surprise. A good-looking, college-bred man of about thirty- five, with square, athletic shoulders, a determined mouth crowned by a short mustache, and cold, steel-blue eyes, he looked the kind of man likely to give a good account of himself either in a fight or an argument. He had a newspaper in his hand and, engrossed in reading as he walked, had not noticed the girl's approach. Stopping short and raising his hat, he looked admiringly at his inter- locutor : "How stunning you look, Kathryn ! I'm awfully glad you saw me. I was so busy reading this vilely printed sheet that I might have missed you. Where have you been?" "I've just come from Mrs. Thurston's. It's her day at home. Isabel Emerson was there and her 10 THE GAMBLERS brother Wilbur and a lot of people you know. It was rather jolly." The man frowned. With a tinge of sarcasm he said: "Wilbur Emerson there, eh? Hasn't he anything better to do than waste his afternoons cackling with a lot of old hens ? I should think that he had enough to attend to at his father's bank without wasting his time at tea parties. I never did think he was much good." The girl laughed lightly and laid a slender, gloved hand on his arm. "Don't talk like that, Jim, or people will say you're jealous. Don't forget that the Emersons are very good friends of mine." With mock severity she added : "I've a right to choose my friends. Re- member that, sir!" He nodded rather sulkily. Then, laughing it off, he said: "Where are you going?" "I'm on my way home. I heard those men cry- ing 'Extra!' and I got nervous about my money. You know all papa left me is in bank my whole fortune. What's the trouble?" TI THE GAMBLERS He looked at her with an amused expression on his face. "Don't pay any attention to them," he laughed. "You're foolish to worry; it'll spoil your good looks. Come and have tea with me at the Plaza." The girl" shook her head ; hesitatingly she said : "I'd like to, Jim, but when I left home I prom- ised Aunt Mary " "Oh, d n Aunt Mary!" "Jim!" protested the girl. "Oh, I didn't mean that. Aunt Mary's a dear old soul, of course; but she'll excuse you if you're a few minutes late. Please come!" Putting his arm affectionately through hers with the easy familiarity that suggests proprietorship, he led the way, despite her mild protests, in the di- rection of Fifty-ninth Street. James Darwin had known Kathryn Forster ever since they were children. They had, so to speak, grown up together. Their respective parents, mem- bers of two old Knickerbocker families, had been intimate friends for nearly half a century and for a good many years had resided in adjacent man- sions in Washington Square, which at that time 12 THE GAMBLERS was still one of the most fashionable and desirable sections in the city. Kathryn's mother having died in childbirth the care of the girl's bringing up was intrusted to her father's sister, a prim, yet good- natured and entirely lovable spinster, whom every- body knew as "Aunt Mary." Mr. Forster and Mr. Darwin were both prominent members of the bar, so the two families naturally saw a good deal of one another, and the young folks, particularly, were most intimate. Even in those early days it was jestingly said that Jim Darwin and Kathryn Forster would marry when they grew up, and the youngsters heard it repeated so often that they began to look upon it as a matter of course, an arrangement already made in advance with which they had had nothing to do and from which there was neither appeal nor escape. Not that either of them was greatly op- posed to the plan. James, a tall, handsome boy, if somewhat headstrong and self-centred, was noth- ing loath to carry out his part of the bargain. Cer- tainly he liked Kathryn better than any other girl he knew. Secretly, he admired her large, flashing dark eyes, her full red lips, her haughty, well-bred 13 THE GAMBLERS carriage. If he had any fault to find, it was that, conscious of her beauty, she was somewhat of a flirt, and permitted other youthful admirers to pay her attention. This often led to angry words. They quarreled and made up again, until at last their early school days were over and they parted- he to go to the University, she to make her debut in society under the aegis of the watchful and kindly Aunt Mary. After leaving college with his B.A., James Dar- win entered law school, where he gave every prom- ise of one day becoming a jurist of uncommon force and brilliancy. For keen, incisive logic, skill in analysis and power in oratory he was unsur- passed by any man of his year. Admitted to -the bar, he joined a well-known firm of criminal law- yers and, entrusted with the conduct of an impor- tant case, fought his first legal battle in court. Ambitious to make a success of this maiden effort, he gave to it all the attention and energy of which he was capable. His fresh, vigorous young mind quickly mastered the complex features of the evi- dence, and he astonished the court and spectators alike with the skill and rapidity with which he THE GAMBLERS handled the witnesses. His hard logic and biting sarcasm were unanswerable, his eloquence irresisti- ble. He flayed his opponents relentlessly, merci- lessly. The trial was hardly begun when the op- posing attorneys were completely routed and the case was won for his clients. From that time on every one knew that James Darwin was a man to reckon with. He, himself, wished to get into public life; he was eager to grap- ple with the vital, pulsating questions of the day. Vigorous mentally as well as physically, he was a born fighter and never was so happy as when in the heat of the fray. Friends advised him to go into politics. If he could win the district attorney- ship there was no reason why he should not one day be governor. The thought thrilled him. Why not? That should be his goal the governorship! Friends, pleasures, he would allow nothing to deter him. Nothing should stand in the way of his am- bition. No one had watched his progress and rejoiced in his success more than Kathryn Forster. Her father having died in the interim, leaving his affairs some- what entangled, she and Aunt Mary had been 15 THE GAMBLERS forced to sell the Washington Square house and take an apartment further uptown. When the es- tate was settled Kathryn found herself with a small fortune, the income of which, by the practice of economy, was enough for a single young woman to live on until she married, especially as Aunt Mary had a private income of her own. Kathryn did not have quite as many frocks as formerly, yet that did not prevent her being one of the best- gowned and most attractive girls in New York. Every one wondered why she did not marry. When a girl reaches the age of twenty-two it is about time she made up her mind. It was not that suitors were lacking. Everybody considered that she and Darwin were as good as engaged. The attorney was as infatuated with her now as he had ever been, and she seemed to take great pleasure in his company. In fact, all the men were wild about her. She had as many as half a dozen pro- posals in one season. People could not understand why she did not accept one of these eager swains and have done with it There was a reason perhaps two reasons. Kathryn was not, as some people hinted, a heartless 16 THE GAMBLERS coquette. She simply could not make up her mind. As a companion she liked James Darwin better perhaps than any man she knew. She admired his breadth of mind, his keen intellectual outlook on life. Herself fond of books, and interested in the scientific and sociological problems of the day, a man of Darwin's mentality appealed to her very strongly. She thought that any girl might con- sider herself lucky to capture him for a husband. There was no telling to what heights he might climb. An ambitious girl, ready to subordinate everything to her social advancement, would ask, expect nothing else, but Kathryn, not yet entirely spoiled by the world, paused at the brink. A dozen times Darwin had urged her to marry him, and each time she had avoided giving him a decided answer. She hesitated because when she came to analyze her feelings she did not believe in her own heart that she loved him. Instinct told her that a woman should feel quite differently towards the man she marries. There was also a second reason, and this, per- haps, was the real one. There was another man in the case. Aunt Mary and the others frowned 17 THE GAMBLERS on Wilbur Emerson, and said unkind things about him. He was not intellectual; far from it. He was fond of high living and gambling; in fact, he was a good deal of an all-round black sheep. Kathryn was fully aware of all this, but she liked him just the same. Somehow black sheep have a way of ingratiating themselves into one's affections, and perhaps secretly she was more attracted to Wilbur Emerson by his vices than by his good qualities. When, in moments of self -analysis, she probed deeply into her heart, she knew that she cared more for her friend Isabel's brother than even she herself was willing to admit. The crowds on the Avenue were getting bigger each minute. It was getting late. The hour for Fashion's parade was over. Soon the offices and shops would close and then the tremendous army of wage earners would issue from their hives and make a mad rush for Harlem and home. The carriage traffic was so congested that the roadway was en- tirely blocked. Exasperated drivers vociferated, au- tomobiles sounded their horns. Above the din and turmoil was heard at intervals the lugubrious cries of the newspaper vendors : 18 THE GAMBLERS ''Extra! Special Extra!! Big Bank Fail- ure!!!" Kathryn turned impatiently to her escort. "What are those wretched-looking creatures call- ing? What has happened? Do tell me." "A bank gone up, that's all!" replied Danvin laconically. W T ith a shrug of his shoulders, he went on: "A commonplace enough incident these days. The way some banks do business, it is surprising that any of them are solvent." Kathryn was interested in banks, not only be- cause she had a few thousand on deposit, but be- cause she knew the Emersons so intimately. Quickly she said: "It's not the Emerson Bank, is it?" Darwin laughed. "Not yet," he said grimly. "The Emerson Bank has always been considered one of the safest and most conservative financial institutions in the city, but there is no telling what may happen when that precious son of the old man gets control. How- ever, I guess it's safe enough for the present, al- though I hear that Wilbur Emerson is getting more and more of his own way in the management. No; 19 THE GAMBLERS this bank that has failed is one of those wildcat concerns that are crooked from the start. They open splendid offices with a fine array of names mostly dummies on their directorate, inveigle the public into giving- up their money and then after a brief but meteoric career close their doors." Becoming more earnest and vehement as he pro- ceeded, he went on angrily: "If I were on the bench I'd take the greatest de- light in sending these scoundrels to the penitentiary. They're the meanest kind of thieves, for they delib- erately rob the widow and the orphan. Our entire banking system is rotten. The banking laws af- ford crooks too many opportunities. It's simply amazing what some bankers are permitted to do. You've no idea what the conditions are. Being a woman, more interested in styles than in cheque- kiting, it isn't natural that you should " Instantly she resented his gratuitous insinuation that the feminine mind was incapable of grasping matters of serious import. With pretended indig- nation, she retorted: "If women are not interested in finance, it is the fault of you men. Do you ever take the trouble 20 THE GAMBLERS to explain? Please don't be so sarcastic. Tell me how these banks get into all this trouble." Seeing that she was an interested listener he out- lined present-day conditions as they were. The fault, he said, was the extravagance of the times. It was an age of foolish, reckless expenditures, insensate greed for gold. Men sold their souls to procure means to indulge their vices, their passions, their love of luxury and show. Every one was liv- ing at too fast a pace. We lived in an era of criminal waste and prodigality. People were money mad. The automobile craze had added immensely to the cost of living. Men ran into debt, mortgaged their homes so they might possess fast-running, death-dealing machines. Women squandered for- tunes on their personal finery, on hats, gowns, furs, jewels, dinner parties, each striving to outdo the other. No ordinary income sufficed to meet such extraordinary expenses. Desperate for money to pay the cost of these luxurious follies, the men were driven to procure it by illegitimate means. They went into Wall Street. They became gamblers. In the treacherous, danger- ous stock market game they stood to win or to lose millions of dollars. Inoculated with the deadly national ailment the get-rich-quick fever 21 THE GAMBLERS they stopped at nothing in their race for great wealth not even at crime. "Crime?" echoed Kathryn, with a light laugh. "Isn't that a little strong, Jim? Surely you wouldn't put a banker in the same class as a com- mon burglar." "Why not?" he retorted. "All men are equal before the law. If a man breaks the law, he be- comes a malefactor, no matter whether he be rich or poor. These gamblers these get-rich-quick financiers are all crooks at heart. They dress well, talk smoothly, cultivate nice people, but they're crooks, all the same. They're worse than the com- mon crook, because, coming from good families, they've been well educated, and ought to know better. But it's in their blood to be crooks. They simply can't help it." Pointing at the splendid resi- dences which they were passing, he added: "More than one man who not so long ago owned one of those houses and entertained there in princely fash- ion is now doing time in the penitentiary." "But how do they get into trouble?" demanded Kathryn perplexed. The bankers she knew were all highly prosper- 22 THB GAMBLERS ous, eminently respectable people, and it seemed preposterous that such prominent members of the community would jeopardize their social status by offending in a way not only to bring upon their heads social ostracism, but also the wrath and pun- ishment of the State. Darwin shrugged his shoulders, "Oh, they don't go into it at first with the de- liberate intention to be dishonest. They are led along the crooked path step by step. At first it ap- pears to the banker only as a perfectly legitimate operation in high finance. He needs money des- perately. His expenses are enormous, far beyond his income. Heroic measures alone can help him to meet them. At any cost he must keep in the social swim, so he joins the gamblers the fra- ternity who raise the wind by the exercise of their wits. He takes a plunge into Wall Street with money which, as president of his bank, he has tem- porarily 'borrowed' from the funds entrusted to its care. That is his first step in crime. He finds he is unable to replace the money. Any day the bank examiners may come on their visit of inspec- tion. It is clear that he must cover up his tracks 23 THE GAMBLERS or go to jail. Disgrace, ruin await him. In a des- perate attempt to escape the inevitable, he goes deeper into the mire. Not content with being a thief, he becomes a forger as well. He extends his operations and as he finds it easier to filch from several banks than from one, he lays his plans to secure control over a chain of banks, all of which he forces to do his bidding. "Too many of them," he went on, "are playing the dangerous game using the money of unsus- pecting depositors to further their own schemes. Sometimes they get in too deep and then there's a smash, as in this instance. The method is very simple. An unscrupulous man, by stock purchase, secures a controlling voice in a certain bank. Hav- ing control he forces that bank to comply with his wishes. He approves 'loans' on the flimsiest se- curity, he lends himself huge sums on notes signed by ten-dollar-a-week clerks. With the money thus wrongfully obtained, he buys control in another bank and then he has the funds of two banks to dabble in instead of one. And so it goes, until sometimes these so-called Napoleons of Finance control a chain of ten or fifteen banks, representing 24 THE GAMBLERS an aggregate of capital piling up into the millions. "For a time all goes well the get-rich-quick financier is the man of the hour. Having plenty of money he is lionized socially, looked up to, ad- mired by everybody. People call him a genius. He has a palatial mansion in town and a superb coun- try place. His wife has automobiles, diamonds, servants galore. Suddenly something goes wrong with his system of borrowing from Peter to settle with Paul. A bank refuses to honor a big draft insufficiently secured. There are disturbing rumors round town. Gradually the whole edifice crumbles. Depositors become alarmed. There is a run on the bank. Half a dozen banks close their doors precipitately. Public confidence gets a jolt, and a commercial panic is only averted by the big finan- cial interests hurrying to the rescue to save the gen- eral situation. The frenzied financier either blows his brains out or goes to the penitentiary. The dear public soon forgets, and a year or two later a new financial luminary appears on the horizon and begins the same trick all over again." The girl listened, interested. "Can such things be prevented ? Isn't it illegal ?" 25 THE GAMBLERS "Certainly, it's illegal. These men violate the State banking laws every time they attempt any- thing irregular, but they take the chance. They may not be found out for years. Some are never found out. Some are so clever in covering their tracks that they deceive the most lynx-eyed bank examiner. They're not easy to catch. Take, for instance, this bank which closed to-day. The bank- was comparatively unimportant. That's where these scoundrels are clever. They're always care- ful to avoid the big institutions. They know that would be too dangerous a game. They've too much regard for their own skins. They'd be caught and jailed before they had a chance to stack the cards. They select only the smaller banks their victims are usually among the poorer class who don't un- derstand and don't question, who think all bank- ers dishonest, and that is their destiny to be robbed." Determinedly, fiercely, he added: "Wait till I'm district attorney. Woe to any get-rich-quick financier who gets into my clutches! I'll show him no mercy. I won't rest until I land him behind the bars, no matter who he is." 26 CHAPTER II THEY had now reached the fine, open Plaza at Fifty-ninth Street, which forms Central Park's magnificent approach. On the east side of the Square, Fifth Avenue continued its way, straight as the crow flies, northward to Har- lem, lined on one side by the beautiful white mar- ble residences of America's merchant princes; on the other by the low, ugly gray wall which marks the boundary of the Park. Overtopping the bar- rier, and as far away to the west as the eye could reach, waved a mass of green foliage with glimpses here and there of picturesque driveways, luxurious lawns, silvery lakes, graceful swans, rustic benches and winding paths leading into shaded glens a spot of sylvan loveliness, an oasis of seclusion and fersh air, set down in the midst of the nerve-rack- ing, gasoline-saturated city. At the entrance to the Park, like some colossal sentinel, stood St. Gau- dens' heroic equestrian statue of Sherman leading his troops to victory. On the left, its lofty, grace- 27 THE GAMBLERS ful facade already a blaze of light in the gathering dust, its portals beset by smart automobiles and servants in livery, was the Hotel Plaza. Entering through the Fifty-eighth Street door Kathryn and her companion passed through spa- cious marble halls and red-carpeted corridors until they came to the tearoom, the location of which even a stranger might readily find if only the sound of the music were to serve him as guide. A few minutes later and they were comfortably installed in a secluded corner, sipping tea out of dainty china the while they listened to the dulcet, dreamy strains of Franko's string orchestra. The place was crowded, as usual at this time of day, with pretty and expensively dressed women. Nearly every table was taken. The air was full of perfume, chatter and laughter. Rival coteries, sitting apart in scattered groups, retailed the latest news and gossip of the Avenue, and as they talked volubly, each at the same time, the women furtively took measure of each other's gowns and hats. Envy, hatred, malice and all uncharitableness was the keynote of every conversation. The utter triv- iality of the topics under discussion, the silly mu- 28 THE GAMBLERS tual admiration of gushing, empty-headed girls, the inept, inconsequential utterances of dandified, de- generate men, the general low moral tone as re- flected in the sentiments expressed by maids and ma- trons all this, the characteristic attitude of the "smart set," would have made the Recording Angel weep. Who was safe in this place of slander and double entendre? These butterflies of fashion thought no more of tearing an absent sister's repu- tation to tatters than of breaking between their ta- pering, highly-manicured fingers the dainty tea wafers passed by obsequious waiters on silver sal- vers. It was Society's school for scandal, the five- o'clock rendezvous of "everybody" in town. While Kathryn was nodding amiably to several acquaintances whom she recognized in the throng and pretending not to see others whom she wished to ignore, which some consider a rather clever way of snubbing undesirables, Darwin watched the ani- mated scene in silence, an expression of disapproval on his face. Turning suddenly to his companion, he asked : "Do you come here often?" "No; not often. Why do you ask?" 29 THE GAMBLERS With a gesture of angry impatience which took in the whole assemblage, he said: "This kind of thing disgusts me. To look at those women over-dressed and over-fed one would think that there was no such thing as pov- erty in the world. See the way they're got up the furs, the jewels, the hats! I told you about the gamblers just now. These women are the spenders. It is they who make the gamblers. Prac- tically they force men to steal so they may spend. They are the real malefactors of wealth." Drawing her attention to two elegantly-gowned women who had just entered wearing priceless furs, he went on : "Look at those women! That chinchilla coat cost $20,000 if it cost a cent. The hat she's wear- ing couldn't be duplicated for $300. To look at them you'd think they were Russian princesses with a fabulous fortune. I happen to know they're just ordinary Americans, badly inoculated with the spending fever. Their husbands are plain, every- day business men, who have to scheme and sweat all year so their wives may parade here in their fine feathers." 30 THE GAMBLERS Kathryn looked up in surprise. "It's theirs to spend as they like, isn't it?" she said. "Not always," was his laconic rejoinder. "You mean they steal it ?" she exclaimed incredu- lously. "Many do," he answered coolly. Slowly he went on : "Our business ethics to-day are deplorable. The line between what is legitimate and what is down- right knavery is so finely drawn that it is impossi- ble to say positively nowadays whether a man is honest or a crook. The only real difference between some so-called successful business men and a com- mon thief is that the business man is not found out, or I should say escapes indictment, while the pro- fessional cracksman is nabbed in the act. The get-rich-quick frenzy is making potential criminals of us all, and it is just such lazy, over- fed women as you see here with their mania for jewels, fine clothes, automobiles and other expensive luxuries that drive our business men to crime." The girl pouted. She did not like these homilies, for she was fond herself of all the good things which life had to offer. Besides she thought the THE GAMBLERS attorney took too pessimistic a view of the case. "But all people are not dishonest," she protested. "Why shouldn't they spend and enjoy their money? The country is prosperous." He shook his head. "You are mistaken. The country is not prosper- ous. The crops are below the average, business is bad everywhere, railroad earnings have fallen off. We are drifting towards a commercial cataclysm. Yet all is serene on the surface. Wall Street gives no sign. Stocks artificially bolstered up, remain at top notch prices, and the extravagance of the people goes on unchecked. Outwardly yes we are prosperous, and this in spite of the fact that we are buying more from Europe than they from us. Everybody is wearing diamonds and drinking champagne on what? Borrowed money. Credit has been expanded to the breaking point. To own automobiles people of moderate means have not hesitated even to mortgage their homes. In the foolish pursuit of pleasure they have rashly im- periled all that they own in the world. Because you see people throwing money about recklessly you must not jump to the conclusion that they are 3 2 THE GAMBLERS really prosperous. Often they are merely spend- ing what is not theirs, they are borrowing trouble for the future. Because you see none but well- dressed people on Fifth Avenue, don't imagine that poverty and distress have been banished from the world. Go into the slums. Stroll along the river- front, enter the noisome rookeries that abound along the Bowery. The harrowing sights, the hopeless, grinding poverty would appall you. The world will not appear so prosperous then." She listened in silence. His earnestness amused her. She was not able to follow his arguments, but they sounded convincing. She had always ad- mired Jim's keen, intellectual grasp of affairs. What a fine public speech he could make! In her mind she already saw him Governor, addressing a vast crowd on some vital public question. The people, carried away, would cheer and call him out and how proud she would be to share his triumph and be pointed to as his wife ! "Of course," he went on, "we shall always have the very poor with us. Some unfortunates seem to be so constituted mentally that they can never prosper. These will always be public charges. 33 THE GAMBLERS But the prodigality of the times is adding to our pauper class every year. Instead of growing richer, the world is actually growing poorer. The army of the destitute is growing bigger, each year the peril looms larger, more menacing. If, at last, rendered desperate by high food prices, prohibitive rents, the people raise the standard of revolt and the country finds itself involved in the throes of revolution, the stupid extravagances of the rich, idle class, the chicanery and knavery of the capitalistic class alone will be to blame. I see danger signals everywhere. Take your friend Wilbur Emerson, for instance " Startled, Kathryn put down her cup. "Wilbur Emerson!" she exclaimed. "What has he to do with it?" "Nothing and yet perhaps a great deal," was the cautious rejoinder. Watching closely on her face the effect of his words he went on : "I've been watching Emerson lately, and I don't much like the way he's going. It doesn't augur well for the fu- ture " "Why," demanded Kathryn, slightly coloring un- der his persistent gaze, "what's the matter ?" 34 THE GAMBLERS Toying idly with his spoon the attorney replied: "Wilbur Emerson is what we call a high roller. He's as different from the old man as a son can possibly be from his father. Their ideas, especially their morals, are entirely opposed. Old Mr. Emer- son is high principled, conservative, a man of un- questioned integrity and honor. I am not so sure about the son." "Do you know anything tangible, or are you only surmising?" demanded Kathryn with some show of irritation. She resented this reflection on an ab- sent friend. The attorney nodded sagaciously. Carelessly he said: "Oh, we hear things downtown, you know. Wil- bur has been taking some high fliers in Wall Street lately, and some of his deals didn't turn out very successfully. I hear that he dropped $10,000 in the last break. Besides, it's a common knowledge that he belongs to a fast crowd. It's curious, too, for his father never was that way " "You spoke of danger any particular danger?" interrupted Kathryn. "Only this," replied Darwin carelessly, "that 35 THE GAMBLERS were a man of his loose propensities to get control of the Emerson Bank there is no knowing what might happen. He's ambitious. He's a born gam- bler. He longs for the power money can buy. People say that he is getting more and more of his own way in the bank, and that he has some scheme of reorganization which, if successful, will increase the financial power of the bank, and make him a power in the Street. All these are danger signals." Kathryn made no reply. Darwin had always dis- liked Wilbur; she knew that. Although their fam- ilies were friends, the two men had never been able to get along. The chief reason, of course, was Darwin's insane jealousy. He could not bear Wil- bur Emerson's name mentioned. Even when she happened to remark that she had met the young banker he grew sulky and moody. It was horrid of Jim to talk in this way about a man behind his back, yet she could not contradict him. All he said she had already heard from others. She liked Wilbur Emerson immensely, but she realized that his lack of moral stamina would always be a stum- bling block in the way of his success, and if, un- fortunately, his father died, leaving him in control 36 THE GAMBLERS of affairs at the bank, matters might be even worse. Certainly, he was not the kind of man for any woman to entrust her future to, no matter what pleasure she might find in his society. The clock struck the half hour. It was getting near dinner time, yet the crowds still lingered at the tables, laughing and talking. People came and went, the waiters ran in and out, the hum of con- versation and the clatter of dishes drowned every other sound, even the music of the orchestra. A beautiful woman, gorgeously attired in a gown that would grace an empress, and literally blazing with precious stones, swept by, accompanied by a foppish blond young man barely out of his teens. Darwin attracted his companion's attention to them. With a laugh he said : "Did you see that woman ? her diamonds would pay a king's ransom. She always has that boy dangling after her. Her husband, a manufacturer, went through the bankruptcy court only a month ago." Kathryn laughed outright. Her companion's cyn- icism amused her. "What a shocking moralizer you are, Jim! If 37 THE GAMBLERS we poor women were to listen to you we'd be wear- ing sackcloth and ashes. What is the world for if we are not to enjoy ourselves in it and make our- selves beautiful?" She sat back and laughed, showing a glimpse of white, pearly teeth between the delicately chiseled lips slightly parted. The warmth of the place after the long walk in the cold air had rilled her cheeks with a rich red color. Her large, luminous eyes shaded by extremely long lashes, shone brilliantly. Darwin gazed at her in silence. Never had she seemed more lovely, more desirable. Leaning over, he said in a low, earnest tone : "Some women don't need the help of dress to make them beautiful. You're one of them, Kate." The compliment pleased her, but in bantering tones, she cried : "What, Mr. Philosopher growing romantic?" With more mock warning she added: "Take care, or you'll lose your judicial point of view." Disregarding her teasing manner, he went on : "Kate, isn't it about time you and I understood each other? I had a purpose in making you come here this afternoon. I wanted to talk to you alone. 38 THE GAMBLERS I haven't had a good opportunity before. Kathryn, you and I were children together. We don't have to stand on ceremony. You know what I want to say. I've loved you all these years. I've asked you time and time again to marry me. You've kept put- ting me off on one pretext or another. I only ask you to let me know, one way or another. This in- decision isn't fair to you or to me. I love you. I want you for my wife. If you don't love me, if for some reason or another marriage between us is impossible just tell me, and I will go out of your life forever. But don't keep me longer in suspense. I'm thinking of going away." She looked at him quickly. "Going away?" "Yes," he answered, averting his head; "if it's no, I don't care to stay here. I should travel for a year or so " She made no reply, but sat quietly sipping her tea and watching the people as they came and went. Jim was right, she thought. Her indecision wasn't fair to either of them. People already thought they were secretly engaged. Why shouldn't she make up her mind ? She was getting on in years ; 39 THE GAMBLERS there was no time to lose. Any woman might be proud to be James Darwin's wife. He had made a splendid reputation. Each day he was becoming better known. At next election he would be on the Republican ticket for the district attorneyship. The newspapers were already predicting that he was the coming man in politics. She did not love him. She knew that. Yet what of it? Many women had married men they did not love, and in time had learned to care for them. For a moment the face of Wilbur Emerson loomed up in her mental vision, but she dismissed it instantly. She liked him, better, perhaps, than any other man of her acquaintance, but as a pros- pective husband she was rather afraid of him. She had heard so many stories of his gallantries! He was a ban vivant a sensualist. He had no taste for literature; he admitted that books bored him. What intellectual companionship could such a man give her? No; her future would be too uncertain. He compared unfavorably with James Darwin. Jim was cold, self-centred; his personality was not as attractive or as lovable as the young banker, but he was intellectual and his prospects were more 40 THE GAMBLERS promising. She believed that one day Jim would rise to great things. How proud she would be to be the wife of a prominent public man! James Darwin would help her to realize this ambition. Wilbur Emerson never would. Darwin broke in upon her reflections. Earnestly, his voice in a tremor he exerted himself to control, he said: "Well, Kate what is your answer?" She laid her ungloved hand on his, and with a little pressure meant to express affection, she said: "Yes Jim and God grant that I make you a good wife!" Despite her words, her tone was cold and his eager, passion-lit eyes saw no response in hers. It was the voice and the look of a woman who had sacrificed everything to her ambition. But Darwin heeded it not. He knew only that he had won the most desirable girl in the world. But for the hun- dred eyes watching them he would have taken her in his arms. She noticed his involuntary movement towards her and instinctively she shrank back be- fore the threatened caress. "I ask only one thing, Jim." THE GAMBLERS "What's that?" he said hoarsely. "That you won't say anything about our engage- ment for a week. I don't want my friends to know until I tell them myself." He drew back, and his face slightly darkened. "Wilbur Emerson, for example!" he said, with an almost imperceptible sneer. She returned his gaze firmly. Her large, wide open eyes were frank and ingenuous as a child's. Somewhat haughtily she said : "Wilbur Emerson or any one else, Jim. I have no accounting to give to you yet. In one week from to-day you may announce our engagement. It's a condition. Do you accept?" Forgetting his momentary ill humor, Darwin bent eagerly forward and whispered: "And our marriage, Kate? When shall that be?" The girl was silent for a moment, then she said : "This is October. What do you say to next June?" Laughingly she added: "It's the month for brides." "What!" he cried. "Wait till June? Why, that's eight months away!" He was about to make vigorous protest when 42 THE GAMBLERS suddenly a feminine voice close by interrupted their conversation. "What are you two doing spooning in a corner all by yourselves?" Kathryn, surprised, looked up quickly, while Darwin rose quickly to his feet. Embarrassed for a moment Kathryn reddened and said: "Hello, Gladys! I didn't see you. When did you come in ?" The new arrival, a vivacious blonde girl, showily dressed, smiled knowingly as she gushed out : "Why we've been here all the time. I'm with Mabel. We're sitting near the orchestra. Isn't that first violin a handsome man? He plays divinely. I wish he'd elope with me. Mabel's perfectly daffy over him. I threatened I'd tell Mr. Cowper. I've been trying to catch your eye for some time. But you were so taken up with Mr. Darwin. Really, I can't blame you. No thanks ! I won't sit down." She glanced coquettishly at the attorney, who offered her a seat. Annoyed at this unexpected in- trusion on their privacy at such a moment, he made a grimace. Kathryn, noticing it, laughed, but Gladys, not to be suppressed, rattled on: 43 THE GAMBLERS "I wanted to ask you if you were going to the Emersons' dance ?" "When is it?" demanded Kathryn. "Didn't you get a card?" "Yes; mine came yesterday; but I didn't notice the exact day." "It's next Thursday. You'll go, of course." Darwin, who had been toying nervously with the sugar tongs, dropped them noisily on the floor. For a moment Kathryn hesitated, and glanced at him, as if doubtful of his approval. Then hurriedly she said: "Certainly, I shall go. Isabel Emerson is my most intimate friend. I couldn't very well refuse.'' 44 CHAPTER III NOT far from the corner of Fifty-third Street, on the same side of Fifth Avenue as the Cathedral, stood a house which never failed to attract the attention of the passer- by. Conspicuous enough to excite comment even in this exclusive neighborhood of aristocratic resi- dences, it was built of red limestone and had a frontage of fifty feet, with two unusually large windows on either side of an imposing entrance, access to which from the street was had by a broad flight of steps. It was not a new house ; indeed it could hardly be described as modern. Built some thirty years ago, before property on the Avenue had reached the present fantastic prices, it was planned on bigger, nobler lines than it is possible for the architect of to-day to follow. The rooms were spacious, lofty, and beautifully proportioned. A striking feature on entering the main reception hall was the grand staircase, which was of white 45 THE GAMBLERS marble and carpeted with rich, velvet pile. Situ- ated on the left, and open all the way up, it formed on the second floor a kind of gallery from which hung rare old tapestries. All the decorations were on the richest and most elaborate scale, in keeping with the size and impor- tance of the house. The ceilings were frescoed and inset with fine paintings, representing mytho- logical and historical subjects executed by world- famous artists. The walls were of Carrara marble and onyx, paneled in places with rare, highly-pol- ished woods. Stained glass over a monumental fire- place and in various nooks imparted rich tones to old armor, ancestral portraits, tapestries, Oriental rugs, gilt and brocaded furniture and other objets d'art, which went to complete the rich, aesthetic furnish- ings. John Emerson built the house in the late seven- ties, soon after he came to New York from Bos- ton, and established the successful banking busi- ness which still bore his name. It was the pride of his earlier manhood, and even to-day, in the decline of his honored life, when he was rapidly approaching the three-score years and ten which 46 THE GAMBLERS the Bible tells us is man's allotted span of life, he still loved every nook and corner of it. To-night the Emerson mansion was brilliantly illuminated in every part. Lights blazed from every window. There was unwonted bustle of servants, who could be seen hurrying to and fro behind the drawn blinds. Messenger boys arrived with flowers and packages. A striped awning with a crimson velvet runner covered the steps from the front door to the curb, and a footman in livery stood awaiting the arrival of the carriages. It was not often that the old house awoke from its digni- fied lethargy. Indeed, it was so seldom that the banker's residence gave any outward sign of life that the neighbors looked on in breathless amaze- ment. Mr. Emerson was not given to much enter- taining. This, however, was an exception. It was the birthday of the banker's daughter, and the oc- casion was being properly celebrated by a dance and supper. A widower for ten years, the banker had two children Wilbur, a son, now in his thirtieth year, and Isabel, an amiable, domesticated kind of girl, who, greatly to the surprise of all her friends, was 47 THE GAMBLERS still unmarried at twenty-five, a critical age in a woman's life, the age wjiere the road suddenly branches out into two roads one leading to matri- mony, the other to spinsterhood. Some girls, no matter what their virtues may be, do not attract men. Isabel was one of them. She was good-look- ing, though not what one would call beautiful, or even attractive-looking. A very sensible, whole- some girl, healthy in mind and body, she had many sterling qualities. She was a devoted daughter and no doubt would have made a good wife. Pro- posals had come her way, but as is often the dilemma of girls with money, she doubted their sincerity and good faith. It was well known that her father had settled $100,000 on her, and this had not failed to attract greedy suitors. But Isabel was too shrewd to be imposed upon, and since the right man did not appear she sensibly resigned herself to the idea of spending her life in single blessedness. After all, why should she marry ? Had she not her father and her brother to look after? Wilbur, the son, had recently been given a re- sponsible position in the bank, which enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most conservatively 48 THE GAMBLERS managed financial institutions in the country. For a hundred years and more the Emersons, a proud New England family of Puritan descent, had held an enviable place in the annais of American his- tory. Unassailable integrity, a spotless record, "without fear and without reproach" this had been the family's tradition, handed down from fa- ther to son as a precious heirloom until the very name Emerson became per se a valuable busi- ness asset, a pseudonym for respectability and honor. People put their money in the Emerson Bank with the utmost confidence because John Em- erson was at the head of that institution. They knew their man. They knew that John Emerson would never countenance in his bank the methods which looser business principles nowadays toler- ated, and which were responsible for all the bank- ing scandals, the runs, the failures, the panics, the suicides which had become a crying disgrace in our banking system. Other financial institutions might be induced to attempt big things on weak capital, spread out, make millions by putting through "mergers," build up chains of banks with deposi- tors' money. But not any institution controlled 49 THB GAMBLERS by John Emerson. He stood firm as a rock for honest banking. He was conservative, old-fash- ioned, out of touch, perhaps, with up-to-date finan- cial methods, but no one had ever questioned his unequivocal, uncompromising honesty. Resisting persistently the schemes of wily promoters and other knights of crooked finance, he adhered firmly to sound banking principles. He believed in main- taining a standard of sound banking practice, and refused to depart even by a hair's breadth from the straight, open course. With God's help he hoped to make Wilbur as sound and conservative a banker as himself. It was not easy. He realized that, like all young men, Wilbur was a little head- strong. He chafed under the curb. Impatient at the slowness of the bank's present way of doing business, he had tried to introduce several reforms, and some of his innovations had brought about good results. They had increased the bank's business and done no harm. His confidence gained, gradually, by degrees, Mr. Emerson relaxed the tight rein and gave his son more leeway, until now Wilbur was vice-president of the bank. 50 THE GAMBLERS "I think that will do, Thomas. Are you sure the champagne is on the ice?" "Oh, yes, miss; I seen to that myself, miss." "You'd better go and make sure, Thomas. My brother is so fussy about the champagne being very cold." "Yes, miss." The butler left the room, and Isabel drew back and critically surveyed her work. All dressed to receive the guests who would soon arrive, the daughter of the house was busy in the dining room, helping the servants put the finishing touches to the table. Laid for forty people, cov- ered with snowy linen, glittering silver and spar- kling crystal, decorated with flowers and ribbons, and with a vast silver centrepiece filled with orchids, it presented a beautiful sight. Carefully Isabel began to arrange the cards on each plate. Gladys would sit next to Mr. Cowper, Kathryn next to father, Mrs. Thurston next to Tooker, Mabel next to Wilbur, Miss Forster next to Mr. Raymond Suddenly the girl's calculations were rudely in- terrupted. She felt herself seized by strong hands, 51 THE GAMBLERS and before she could defend herself, she felt a man's kiss on her cheek. Turning- quickly, she saw her brother laughing at her. In his hand was a small package tied with ribbon. "Hello, sis!" he exclaimed. "Many happy re- turns ! Missed you all day. Didn't forget, though. Bought you a little trifle at Tiffany's. Hope you'll like it. Where's the gov'nor?" Taking the package Isabel started to untie it. Smiling, she said : "Gracious, Wilbur how you frightened me! I didn't hear you come in. Father's upstairs dress- ing." By this time the outer wrappers were off and a dainty little jewel box was revealed to view. The girl opened it, and to her delight saw a beautiful ring pearl set in a circle of brilliants. "Oh, Wilbur!" she exclaimed. "How good of you!" Wilbur Emerson was a favorite, not only with his sister, but with almost every one else. Hand- some, clever, good-natured, he was one of those brilliant men who, naturally amiable themselves and possessing no little personal magnetism, have 52 THE GAMBLERS the knack of communicating their geniality to others and thus make for themselves hosts of friends. True, he had a reputation for being fond of late suppers, speeding, little blonde actresses, in- cursions into Wall Street, and similar diversions for which rich men's sons seem to have a particular predilection; but since he had become one of the officers of the Emerson Bank, he had, to a great extent, dropped his old associates, and sobered down. In any case, his father had no reason to complain of the manner in which he attended to his duties, and it was a great source of satisfaction to the old gentleman to think that, when the time came that he would be compelled to lay aside the cares of business, there was another Emerson to take up the reins. Women, especially, liked Wilbur Emerson. While always the gentleman, his attitude towards them had that delightfully frank and easy manner which soon established relations of intimate cama- raderie. At times his audacity had outstripped the bounds, and then a look sufficed to make him be- have. If he took liberties, it was usually the fault of the women. They encouraged rather than re- 53 THE GAMBLERS sented his familiarities, just because, as they said, he was good-looking and dangerously fascinating. Wilbur Emerson was, in truth, an uncommonly handsome man. The beau ideal of a Paul Bourget hero, his tall, slender figure always faultlessly dressed, a pale and rather classic face, with dark, wavy hair, fine eyes and a sensitive mouth he looked as though he might have stepped out\of the pages of the latest novel. Not that there was anything in his appearance to suggest weakness or effeminacy. There was nothing degenerate about him. Looks are often deceiving, and never more so than in this instance. Slender and delicate as he seemed, his muscles were rigid as steel. He was wiry as a cat and supple as an eel. At college he was the best long-distance runner of his year, and his rooms were littered with other trophies of his athletic prowess. Nor was he always the suave, easy-going person he appeared in the drawing- room. In business hours, he was alert, energetic, masterful. When anything went wrong at the bank he was suddenly transformed into a veritable cyclone of wrath, nor was he appeased until mat- ters had been adjusted to his satisfaction. 54 THE GAMBLERS It was an agreeable surprise to many to see how well he had turned out at the bank. When first it was announced that his father had taken him in, the depositors shook their heads ominously. They only knew the young man as a congenial viveur, an acknowledged leader among New York's gilded youth. Wherever there was a joyous, boisterous crowd, at the club, theatre or restaurant, they knew it was safe to count him one of the number. The boy had started wrong. His school companions left much to be desired, and he soon displayed tenden- cies that augured ill for the future. The gay world was a call too strong to resist. Alone the old man had faith in his son. "Give the boy time," he said. "He's young yet, full of the unreasoning exuber- ance of youth. Let him sober down. Then all will be well." It was something new for an Emerson to run so wild, and the croakers made dismal prophecies. They looked dubiously at Wilbur en- tering the bank, and at first they were inclined to resent it. For his father's sake, however, they said nothing. They had not much confidence in the young man, but they knew that so long as John Emerson lived the bank was safe, and now that 55 THE GAMBLERS the son seemed to have sown all his wild oats and sobered down they were quite ready to admit that possibly they had been a little hasty in their judg- ment. "How kind of you, Wilbur!" exclaimed Isabel gratefully. "How did you guess I wanted a ring?" The young man smiled grimly as he turned to a convenient mirror to adjust his full-dress white tie. "Oh, that was a pretty safe guess. Did you ever hear of a woman who had no use for a ring?" Changing the subject, he said: "The people will soon be here. It's past nine. Who's coming?" "The usual crowd all the girls, and Mrs. Thurston, Mrs. Dyas and Mr. Cowper, Mr. Ray- mond, Mr. Tooker " Her brother interrupted her with a laugh. "Cowper Raymond Tooker! It sounds like the roll-call of one of our bank directors' meet- ings " "I had to invite them," explained Isabel almost apologetically. "They're directors in the bank, and it wouldn't look well to ignore them. Father thought they should be asked. Besides," she added 56 THE GAMBLERS roguishly, "Mr. Cowper is sweet on Gladys. I may be able to make a match. Mr. Raymond and Mr. Tooker can talk finance with you and father." Wilbur pulled a wry face. "Thanks I'd rather be excused. I see enough of them in the bank. Who else is coming?" "I asked Mr. Darwin, but I doubt if he'll come." A cloud passed over the young man's face. Bit- terly he exclaimed : "Not if he knows that I'm here with Kathryn Forster. I'm surprised he's willing to have her come here alone. I wonder he's not afraid I'll cut him out." Isabel looked up at her brother wistfully. With a sigh she said : "I wish you could, Wilbur. I'm so fond of Kath- ryn. I'm sure she thinks the world of you " "Thinks the world of me, but marries the other chap, eh?" Since the death of their mother Isabel sometimes felt that she owed Wilbur more than the attention of a sister. It was her fondest desire that he might marry happily and settle down, but for some reason he was still a bachelor at thirty. Like all men as 57 THE GAMBLERS they get older, Wilbur was beginning to realize that a man who does not choose a life companion early in life makes a mistake which he is apt to bitterly regret in after years, but so far he had been content to gather honey at all the flowers in the matrimonial garden instead of at only one. Her friend, Kathryn Forster, was just the girl for him. and for a long time Isabel, as well as every one else, had expected daily to hear they were engaged. She knew that Wilbur thought a great deal of her. in fact, was very fond of her. If there was noth- ing between them it could only be that Kathryn gave him no encouragement. That there was an- other rival in the field she was well aware. She also knew that Kathryn was ambitious, and might be dazzled by Jim Darwin's political prospects. "I wish you would marry her," went on Isabel, not noticing the interruption. "I'd like to see you comfortably settled and happy." Her brother laid a hand gently on the girl's shoulder. Shaking his head, he said : "We can't always arrange these things to suit ourselves, sis. I'm fond of Kathryn you know that. No man could think more of her than I do. But 58 THE GAMBLERS I don't believe she really cares two straws about me. Sometimes I think she studies her own in- terests more than her feelings. She is very ambi- tious. Perhaps she thinks that Darwin can give her more. Anyhow, he's got her completely hypno- tized. I wish it were otherwise. Don't you sup- pose I'm tired of knocking about? I'd be glad to settle down. "Sis," he went on earnestly, "I'll tell you a se- cret ; but only to you. Kathryn is coming here to- night. It may be my last chance to talk with her alone. I'm going to ask her to marry me. If she says no well " He stopped and stroked his sister's hair, then, with an effort at gayety, he added: "We'll both remain single you and I just to spite 'em.'' Isabel laughed, and going round the table re- sumed her work of arranging the cards on the plates. Wilbur followed her. Hesitatingly he said : "Isabel there's something else I want to speak to you about something very important." The girl looked up in surprise. With anxiety she exclaimed : "Something important? What is it?" 59 THE GAMBLERS The young man gave a quick glance around to make sure they were alone, and then said quickly: "It's about the bank. I want you to help me. It's something I've had on my mind for some time. My whole future is at stake. My father has put me in the banking business, and it's too late for me to take to anything else. But if I'm to remain a banker, I must be a real banker. I'm not the kind of man to be content to remain in the back- ground, to be a mere figurehead. I want to be just as big as the other fellows. Banking to-day is quite a different matter to what it was when father first established his bank. In those days they did business on a small, conservative scale; to-day it's a game of millions hundreds of millions! You know we have no real standing. We are respected and all that, but we are not a factor in the colossal financial operations of the day. While other in- stitutions have forged ahead, we are standing still ; in fact, we are losing ground every day, losing de- posits, losing business of every kind, simply be- cause we are not progressive. Do you follow me ?'' The girl nodded. "Yes, I understand you perfectly well. I think 60 THE GAMBLERS I agree with you. Father, of course, is old-fash- ioned in his ideas and out of touch with modern methods, but how can I help you?" "You can help me in this," he went on earnestly. "I'm going to ask father to give me more au- thority, to let me go ahead in my own way and re- organize the bank on more modern lines. I want him to let me make millions for him where formerly we have been content with thousands. I am young, I have energy, determination. I want to do what the others are doing take part in the fierce, ex- citing money game and make the name 'Emerson Bank' ring around the world!" He stopped as if to judge of the effect of his words and then went on : "Things can't go on like this. If we don't do something we shall be crowded to the wall, snuffed out of existence altogether. I want you to per- suade father to let me have my own way in this. All the others are with me. Mr. Tooker, Mr. Ray- mond, and the other directors of the bank are ready to fall in line. They are willing that we should organize and have a chain of banks and get out of the game all there is in it. Will you talk to father, sis?" 61 THE GAMBLERS Isabel was quiet for a moment, but stood medi- tatively playing with the plates. Wilbur was quite right, she thought to herself. It was only natural that he should be ambitious and want to accomplish big things and make a name for himself. It was her duty to help him. "Yes, Wilbur," she said simply, "I'll speak to father to-night, if possible." Her brother took both her hands in his. "Thank you, sis; I knew you would." Suddenly the butler appeared in the doorway leading to the main hall. Proud of his wide ex- panse of shirt bosom, clean white gloves, and newly starched tie, he announced pompously: "Carriages beginning to arrive, miss." Isabel gave a little cry of dismay. "Here I am chattering when I should be receiv- ing my company. Wilbur see if father is ready to come down!" The footman, on guard at the front entrance, threw the great iron doors open. A lady, bundled up in wraps, entered. Isabel ran lightly forward. "Oh, Gladys you dear thing! How sweet of you to come so soon!" 62 CHAPTER IV THE string orchestra, cleverly concealed be- hind a bank of palms, played a dreamy Strauss waltz while the young couples turned gracefully on the highly polished floors to the rhythm of the languorous music. It was nearly one o'clock in the morning, yet no one thought of going home. At midnight supper was served, and after that the dancing began again. Mr. Emerson, Sr., a veteran of the old school, with snow-white hair and courtly manner, sat in a corner, rinding pleasure in watching the animated scene. Near him were Giles Raymond and Fred Tooker, directors of the Emerson Bank. "It does me good to see them. It makes me feel young again," smiled the old man, nodding his head approvingly as he caught a fleeting glimpse of his son waltzing past with Kathryn Forster. Raymond, a coarse-faced, heavy-jawed man who had a habit of chewing his cigar viciously in the 63 THE GAMBLERS corner of his mouth, giving him the appearance of an ex-prizefighter, chortled loudly: "You should have seen me in my dancing days! I was a perfect divil among the women." Tooker, a shock-headed man with a stupid man- ner and watery eyes, gave a snort of defiance. He and Raymond had been chums and business asso- ciates for years, but they were always quarreling and loved nothing so much as an old-fashioned ar- gument. To-night Tooker had supped over well and taken a little more champagne than was good for him. "Rot!" he growled. "Men and women jumping about like a lot of grasshoppers ! It's idiotic- Raymond and Tooker were typical representa- tives of the nouveau riche class. Both self-made men, of course, primeval instincts, unrefined by edu- cation and cultured surroundings, they had hewed their way brutally through life with only one object in view that of making money. They had been successful, too, for middle age found them in pos- session of a comfortable fortune. Money, power, influence these had been the coveted goals, and they had stopped at nothing to reach them. None 64 THE GAMBLERS too scrupulous, some of their business transactions would hardly bear the light of day, but if in their past career they had anything to reproach them- selves with, they always solaced themselves by point- ing to their bank account. They were rich, that was enough. That they were not very congenial to Mr. Emer- son, himself a refined and perfect gentleman, goes without saying. Their manners and conversation were vulgar; they talked loud and boasted of their money and influence. They were undesirable from many points of view. Yet, for reasons of policy, they were tolerated, even by those who despised their class most. In these days of keen competition it is hardly practical to scrutinize business associates too critically. Raymond, ambitious to "jimmy" his way into society, had decided to become a bank director, and with that end in view he and his friend Tooker had acquired large holdings of stock in the Emerson Bank. Otherwise, apart from their man- ners, which left so much to be desired, they were not bad fellows at heart. Each had a large supply of coarse humor, in which they indulged at every- body's expense, and in a certain set of their own 65 THE GAMBLERS they were popular, especially Tooker, who at times had generous impulses. Raymond, on the contrary, was an extremely selfish man, cold and calculating, and intolerant of any one expressing an opinion that was not his own. "Thirsty work dancing!" said Tooker as he watched the couples whirling past. Quick to note the hint conveyed in the remark, Raymond quickly picked his friend up. Sarcas- tically he said: "Makes you dry even to think of it, eh, Tooker?" Mr. Emerson smiled and, rising from his seat, said courteously : "Come, gentlemen, let us adjourn to the smoking room. I think we shall find some refreshment there." "Motion carried!" cried Tooker enthusiasti- cally. The two directors jumped up from their seats with alacrity, and, following Mr. Emerson's lead, ambled off in the direction of the smoking room, where a side buffet was temptingly set out with cigars, cordials and decanters of all shapes. "That's the idea!" exclaimed Raymond, chewing 66 THE GAMBLERS his cigar more energetically than ever. "Why didn't we come here before?" "We've been wasting precious time, that's sure," said Tooker cheerfully. "Help yourselves, gentlemen," said Mr. Emerson. Taking a whisky decanter and filling a glass, Tooker raised it to his lips. "Here's how !" he said with mock politeness. Noticing that his chum was taking nothing, he protested : "What's the matter, Giles? I thought you wanted a drink." Raymond paid no attention to him, but, dropping into one of the big easy leather arm chairs, rested his chin on one hand in a thoughtful attitude. Nervous in manner, he started chewing his cigar, as he usually did when anything important was on his mind. "Drink?" he growled. "No I want to talk to Mr. Emerson." Overhearing the remark, the veteran banker turned politely toward his guest. Amiably he asked : "What is it, Raymond? I'm all attention." 67 THE GAMBLERS Raymond pointed to a chair. "Sit down, Mr. Emerson," he said. "It isn't often we get a chance to have a few moments' quiet chat with you. For a long time Tooker and I have been waiting for this opportunity. Dancing and society and all the rest is very nice, as far as it goes, but there's something else in life besides that. Ain't there, Tooker?" His fellow director, still busy at the buffet, gave a nod of maudlin wisdom. Mr. Emerson took a seat and said: "Go on, Mr. Raymond, I am listening." Tooker refilled his glass. "Take another drink," grinned Raymond. "Thanks, I will," retorted his chum. Raymond scowled at his companion to desist. He did not much relish the idea of having to carry him home. "You've had enough, Tooker," he said severely. "Mind your own business," retorted the di- rector. Raymond, with a snort of contempt, turned to his host: "Mr. Emerson, this isn't exactly the place to talk 68 THE GAMBLERS business, but we don't often get an opportunity to get together you and I " The banker looked at his interlocutor in surprise At first he was inclined to think that he, too, had supped not wisely but too well, but a glance showed him that he was sober enough. He had something to say and wanted to say it. His manner was so confidential and mysterious that Mr. Emerson's curiosity was aroused. Encouragingly, he said : "Why certainly what is it? I'm listening." Raymond looked around cautiously before pro- ceeding. Then he said : "Mr. Emerson, I've been thinking that you and I and our friend Tooker here are not getting out of this business all there is in it " "Not by a long shot," chimed in Tooker, draining his glass. "What business?" demanded Mr. Emerson, puz- zled for a moment. "The banking business, Mr. Emerson, the bank- ing business " He stopped short and cleared his throat nerv- ously. Then, looking around as if seeking for a cuspidor, he went on : 69 THE GAMBLERS "Your son Wilbur is a young man, sir, but he's no fool. Anybody can see that. Considering the short time he has been in the banking business, it is remarkable how quickly he has mastered its many intricate and complex details. He does credit to your intelligence in having entrusted him with a post of so much responsibility. He has shown marked capacity, great executive ability, I believe. I may say we believe a great future awaits him as a financier of the first rank." Turning to his fellow director, he added: "Don't we, looker?" "We certainly do," gurgled the latter between drinks. The veteran banker sat watching them in amaze- ment. One of them was drunk, no doubt, but the other seemed sober enough. Not knowing exactly how to take them, he said : "Gentlemen, you are very kind " Raymond raised his hand in protest. "No, no, Mr. Emerson, this is no jesting matter. It's a very serious matter, which Tooker and I have often talked over among ourselves. Mr. Cow- per is of the same opinion " 70 THE GAMBLERS The banker was more and more mystified. "What opinion?" he exclaimed. "Just this, Mr. Emerson, we're not getting out of the bank all that we expected. I may say that we are not getting even a fair return on our money." He stopped for a moment to judge what effect this preliminary had, and noticing that his host was an attentive listener, he proceeded: "This is not the day of the four per cent, the five per cent, or even the six per cent. To be frank, I may even say I am not even a ten per cent man. Years ago people were satisfied with a small return for their money, but not now. Living expenses have increased enor- mously, rents have trebled, to-day people demand as necessities what to our forefathers were unheard of luxuries. If you want to hold your head up to-day you need money, and a lot of it. The man without money to-day is a failure, a disappointment he is nothing. He might as well drown him- self " The orator stopped, while Tooker snorted ap- provingly. Mr. Emerson raised his hand impa- tiently. "My good Mr. Raymond, what you say is only THE GAMBLERS the merest commonplace. What has this to do with me or the bank?" "Only this, sir I'll be quite frank the Emerson Bank to-day is behind the procession. It's a very conservative institution, highly respectable and all that. It is a credit to you in that respect. I'll grant you that, sir. But it's not up to date, not progres- sive. It's too old-fashioned, and it's losing ground daily. You're not in business for your health, I presume; neither are we. You must be able to see for yourself that we have no real standing in finan- cial circles to-day. Other banks are paying a hun- dred, two hundred and three hundred per cent to stockholders. What do we earn? A mere baga- telle. It's simply ridiculous. Look at the Nelson banks. They're simply coining money, and inci- dentally cutting into our business terribly. During the last twelve months they have taken from us no fewer than five hundred accounts, totaling up an aggregation of close on to a million dollars. Why? Because with their smarter, modern way of doing business, they are able to offer bigger inducements ; they make their loans on better terms, and so forth. Nelson to-day is one of the biggest men in the 72 THE GAMBLERS financial world. With the money under his control he has become a power in Wall Street to be reck- oned with. How has he done it? By his chain of banks. We could do it, too, if we only had the nerve. We don't branch out. We allow compet- itors to throttle us. We simply stagnate " He stopped and looked at Mr. Emerson, as if expecting him to say something. The old banker was silent for a moment. He sat thoughtfully, as if weighing carefully what they had said. Then slowly, deliberately, he said : "Gentlemen, I am flattered that you have made me your confidant in this matter. Of course, you know that I own the controlling interest in the Emerson Bank. I alone have the power to dictate the bank's policy. In some respects I agree with you. Business methods to-day art totally different to what they were thirty or even twenty years ago. Are they as safe? That is the question. I would sacrifice my last dollar rather than see a depositor's money jeopardized in the slightest. That is why we have pursued this slow, conservative policy, which, after all, is the only absolutely safe one. But, as you say, our more up-to-date competitors 73 THE GAMBLERS have made serious inroads into our business. There has been no way of preventing it. Depositors in- sist on higher interest, and they will go where they can get it, regardless of the higher risk. I realize all this, and it has set me thinking. My son, also, has talked with me about it. I doubt very much that I shall ever be able to give my consent to any plan which would entail a radical departure from our present way of doing things, but I will think over what you say and see what can be done." Not satisfied with this half promise, Raymond was about to proceed with further arguments when suddenly Isabel entered the room. "Why, father gentlemen !" she exclaimed, "what are you doing in here? I've been looking every- where for you." Looking at her parent with fond solicitude, she added: "Father, you had better go to bed. It's late for you." The old gentleman shook his head. Patting his daughter indulgently on the cheek, he said : "No, child, I enjoy it better than any of you." "We've just been having a quiet talk about bank matters," interrupted Raymond. 74 THE GAMBLERS The girl held out her hand to her father. With a smile she said: "Is that so? How curious! That's just what I wanted to speak to father about. Come, dad, there's some one in the ballroom I want you to meet an old friend of mother's." Mr. Emerson rose with alacrity. "A friend of your poor mother's !" he exclaimed. "Yes, an aunt of one of the girls. She's just come. I want you to meet her." "Very well, daughter. Where is she? You'll excuse me, won't you, gentlemen?" He went away with Isabel on his arm, leaving the two directors puffing at their perfectos in silence. "Great old man, that, do you know it?" said Raymond, with the sententious gravity of one mak- ing a new discovery. Removing his much-chewed cigar stump from the corner of his mouth, he looked around under the chairs for a cuspidor. Not find- ing one and disgusted at his fruitless search, he replaced the weed between his teeth and muttered viciously: "These 'high-brow' houses make me tired! Where do they expect a fellow to spit on the floor? 1 ' 75 THE GAMBLERS Tooker, with unsteady hand, refilled his glass. Raising it to his lips, he was about to drink, when suddenly he caught a glimpse of Wilbur Emerson, who was hurrying through the outer hall. He hailed him. "Hello, Wilbur, my boy! Where are you run- ning to? Have a drink?" "Come and join us, Wilbur," chimed in Raymond cordially. Both men liked Wilbur, not only for himself, but because he was useful in a business way. He was easier to handle than the old man, and as his posi- tion in the bank was steadily growing, they realized the importance of cultivating him. The young man stopped and came over to where they stood. Heart- ily he said: "What are you doing here? The fun is inside, where they're dancing." Tooker made a wry face as he retorted: "For you, yes; we prefer this." "Chacun a son gout," laughed Wilbur. Raymond, solemn as an owl, looked at the young banker in silence. Chewing his cigar he said : "Wilbur, we've talked to the old man. We told 76 THE GAMBLERS him just how matters lay told him what we ex- pect, what we want. It's up to you now " The young man started with surprise. His face flushing, he exclaimed eagerly : "You spoke to father? What did he say?" Turning his head for a moment to let fly at the cuspidor, the director replied nonchalantly: "Oh, he seemed to understand the situation. We gave it to him right from the shoulder. Of course, he spoke of conservatism and all that kind of rot, but I think if we keep hammering at him we will get what we want. Now, what is the plan that you propose ?" "Yes, what about the plan?" chimed in Tooker. Wilbur stood still for a moment, looking at them without saying a word. If his father was half way inclined to grant the desired changes, it was great news, indeed. It meant everything to him. There were no heights to which he might not climb. As he stood there his brain began to work rapidly, his pulse throbbed quicker, he could feel the hot blood coursing madly through his veins. This was the great opportunity of his life. He felt he was able to conquer the world. 77 THE GAMBLERS "Well," demanded Raymond, impatiently, "what is the plan ?" "The plan, gentlemen," he replied hurriedly, "is in substance this: We reorganize, with a capital of $5,000,000. We proceed immediately to secure control of another bank. Then we take the sur- plus of both to secure other institutions, until we have a chain of a dozen or more banks, giving us absolute control of nearly a hundred millions. With this colossal sum in our hands, do you realize what a power we shall become in the financial world? We can bring Wall Street to its knees." "Not a bad scheme," drawled Raymond, nodding his head approvingly. "Of course, them big fel- lows in Wall Street won't take to us any too kindly. The Money Trust will come down on us good and hard. They'll get our scalps if they can." "We won't let 'em, boys! We won't let 'em!" cried Wilbur enthusiastically. "We'll play the game for all it's worth, but we'll keep well within the limit, so, no matter what emergency arises, each of our banks will be able to pay one hundred cents on the dollar." Tooker shook his head ominously. 78 THE GAMBLERS "If ever they suspect we're short of the market they'll put on the screws, and then where would we be? Caught in a trap." Wilbur laughed carelessly. He cried: "We'll be as clever as they are. They'll never catch us short of cash trust me for that. There'll never be a run on an Emerson Bank while I'm presi- dent of the company. Well, boys, this is agreed? You, as directors, give me authority to go ahead if I can get father's consent." Almost in chorus Raymond and Tooker re- plied : "We agree." Wilbur beamed with satisfaction. "Very well," he said with a smile. "I must be off now. I believe my name's down on a lady's card for the next waltz. I must not prove a defaulter. I'll talk to the governor and see how quickly we can begin." Raymond patted him familiarly on the back. Heartily, he exclaimed: "That's the idea, Wilbur, my boy. I always knew you were all right. You can tell the old gen- tleman that I and Raymond and Cowper are behind 79 THE GAMBLERS you. If he likes he can call a special directors' meeting." "Certainly that's proper," snorted Tooker, as he turned once more to the buffet. "Very well," replied Wilbur hurriedly, "leave it to me; I'll speak to father and let you know. I must go now." Leaving the two directors alone, he hurried in the direction of the reception room. He had prom- ised Kathryn to dance the next waltz with her, and the musicians had just struck up the first graceful measures of "Fledermaus." There was no time to be lost. He was crossing the hall when suddenly he was bumped violently into by a lanky young man who ran out of one of the rooms. "Hello, Cowper!" exclaimed Wilbur. "Where are you rushing like that?" "How do, Wilbur? You're just the man I'm looking for." A young, oldish-looking man of nervous and rather erratic temperament, George Cowper came of good family, but had few friends. He was one of those men who, not possessing in themselves the capacity of making friends, are content to go 80 THE GAMBLERS through life without any. His career had begun unfortunately at college. Mixed up in a hazing affair, he turned informer, and several men were expelled in consequence of his revelations. This alone would have been enough to turn the whole college body against him, even had he been liked for himself. But he was promptly boycotted and virtually forced to leave. This unfortunate inci- dent he had never been able to live down, and to a great extent it had embittered his character. He inherited from his father sufficient means to make him independent, and, investing the money in Em- erson Bank stock, he was made director, thanks to the influence of Wilbur, who knew him at college and felt sorry for him, thinking that he had been punished enough. "You're in an awful hurry !" exclaimed Wilbur. "Oh, excuse me, my dear fellow," he stammered. "I didn't see you. I'm so happy that I don't know what I'm doing. Congratulate me." "On what?" "I've just proposed to Gladys Norman, and would you believe it, she accepts me!" "Lucky dog!" laughed Wilbur. "Go into the 81 THE GAMBLERS smoking room and tell Tooker. He and Raymond are holding an informal meeting in there. You'll be interested. Big projects are on foot." "Big projects! what big projects?" demanded Cowper. Without stopping to answer, Wilbur hastened away to the ballroom. 82 KATHRYN was waiting for him, seated in a far corner of the ballroom. She saw him coming in the distance, and he noticed that her eyes lit up with pleasure. A slight flush suf- fused her cheek as she said reproachfully : "How long you've been ! I thought you had for- gotten me." "Forgotten you!" he whispered. "Not while life remains !" She was looking radiant to-night. Her gown of old rose satin, trimmed with Irish point lace, set off admirably her dark, Southern type of beauty. Cut generously low, the dress displayed her beauti- fully moulded shoulders and allowed a fleeting glimpse of her full, rounded bosom. Her hair, al- most black, was relieved by a band of gold, and a string of valuable pearls encircled her slender throat. For the time being she had forgotten everything, even Jim Darwin and his jealous whims. 8.3 THE GAMBLERS Recklessly, unrestrainedly, she had abandoned her- self to an evening of pleasure. She rose with a gracious smile for the promised waltz, and as her hand touched his, Wilbur felt a thrill go through him as of an electric shock. Never had this woman, whom he had desired so long, appeared to him so fair. At this close physical con- tact every other thought left him. His heart leaped to his throat, mad thoughts went rushing through his brain. For a moment she stood motionless in his embrace, waiting until they caught the time of the music. Then slowly they began to turn to the languorous music, and as she drew closer within his arms until he could feel her warm breath upon his cheek and he could smell the fragrance of her skin, the people, the room itself, all seemed to dis- appear in a kind of enveloping mist. Clasped close to the woman he loved, he forgot everything in the ecstasy of the moment. The music, which he heard only vaguely, as if the orchestra were away off in the distance, sounded in his ears like celestial harps. He was treading the fleecy heights of heaven to- gether with the one being who was all the world to him. 84 THE GAMBLERS As they whirled along he wondered what answer she would make to him. If she would be his wife he would be willing to forego all his schemes of financial aggrandizement. Much as his heart was set on this plan of radical reorganization, full well he realized the peril of the step. Smarter men than he had been engulfed in the whirlpool of frenzied finance. If Kathryn would marry him he would be content with domestic felicity on earth, without trying to reach to the stars. Raymond and Tooker could get some one else to lead them in the Wall Street game of millions. In the companionship of the woman he loved he would be satisfied with the little he had. If she wouldn't marry him well, that would be a different matter. Certainly he would marry no one else. To-night he would know his fate. After a few blissful moments that flew by all too swiftly, the sensuous, dangerous music ceased. The spell thus rudely broken, they suddenly found themselves on earth again. From the dizzy heights of supreme ecstasy once more they had descended to the trivial and the commonplace. Neither of them had spoken, yet instinctively Wilbur felt that 85 THE GAMBLERS Kathryn was as much affected as himself. This, perhaps, was his opportunity, the psychological moment he had waited for so long. Leading his partner in the direction of the palm garden, under the pretense of eating a cooling ice, he found a cosy, secluded corner where they were conveniently screened from observation by a group of exotic plants. Still partly under the spell of the waltz, he did not trust himself to speak. He remained silent and his manner was so constrained that Kathryn, even though she divined the cause, could hardly avoid commenting upon it. With forced carelessness, she said: "What's the matter to-night, Mr. Emerson ? You seem unusually thoughtful." Quickly he turned and, looking straight into her eyes, said in broken tones : "I'm wondering why I shouldn't be as happy as some other men Kathryn, I " At that instant a waiter came up with ices and cakes. Wilbur scowled at the man and under his breath consigned him to a dreadful fate, while Kathryn, secretly glad of the interruption, breathed 86 THH GAMBLERS a sigh of relief. Her engagement to Jim was still a secret. Evidently this man was about to propose to her. What was the use? It would only pain her to refuse him, and humiliate him to learn the truth. Her mind was fully made up and her word given. She liked Wilbur, perhaps she only realized fully for the first time how much she was attracted to him during that brief soul-disturbing embrace of the intoxicating waltz. Yes, she knew he was a gambler, somewhat of a black sheep. She loved black sheep, yet for all that, she was sensible enough not to allow herself to be governed by her emo- tions. There were many reasons why she was rather afraid of Wilbur Emerson. He had always been among the most ardent and persistent of her admirers, and a single look would at any time have brought him to her feet; but she had consistently resisted all his advances, and now she was promised to another, it was all the more necessary that she give him not the slightest encouragement, no matter how fascinating he might be personally. Changing the conversation, she said indiffer- ently : "I expected to see Mr. Darwin here to-night. Do 87 THE GAMBLERS you know if he's here? There's such a crush it's hard to find people." Curtly, almost savagely, he replied: "Perhaps you'd like me to go and find him for you?" She looked up at him, a look of reproach in her dark eyes. Gently she said : "Mr. Emerson, I am surprised, after the nice waltz we've just had together." "That's just it," he cried hotly. "Why mention that man now? You know he detests me, per- haps as much as I do him. Why should you care whether he is here or not? What is he to you?" It was her cue to tell him of her engagement. It would have been only fair, before letting him pro- ceed further. Yet why should she announce it be- fore she was quite ready ? There were good reasons why she did not want that house full of people to know to-night. Once she told him. it would be all over town. Besides, she was eager to know what he was going to say, for she was only human. Womanlike, she was curious to know what he would say and how he would say it. So she re- 88 THE GAMBLERS mained silent. He saw her hesitate and, manlike, construed it to his advantage. "Kate," he blurted out, "I've been waiting so long for this opportunity. I've wanted to tell you that I love you that I want you for my wife." Without waiting to hear her answer, he went on ardently : "You must have seen it. I've loved you ever since I firtt met you. Sometimes I've fancied that you cared for me that you encouraged me. I thought I could detect it in a look in your eyes, in the smile on your lips, in the grasp of your hand. You know what I am, what my position is. I have means I expect to have more. I am now formu- lating plans that will make me one of the most suc- cessful and prominent financiers in this country. My success, if it comes, I want to share with you." He stopped and looked at her, waiting for her answer. Slowly, deliberately, she laid aside the empty ice glass and shook her head. Kindly she said: "Mr. Emerson, you've taken me completely by surprise. I knew we were good friends, but the idea of anything beyond that never entered my head. 89 THE GAMBLERS I am deeply flattered, and shall always be grateful to you for the great compliment you've paid me. But it is impossible. I can't tell you why. But it is impossible." He looked at her fixedly for a moment, as if try- ing to penetrate her mask of polite reserve. Then hotly, determinedly, he returned to the siege. Ar- dently, passionately, he pleaded with her. Some one had prejudiced her against him, the stories she had heard about him were untrue. His enemies had fabricated them to injure him in her regard. He had been a little wild, he admitted that, but it was because he had no one to care for him. He needed the love of a good girl to keep him straight, to make a man of him. He loved her passionately, to distraction. She was the only girl he had ever loved truly, purely. If she refused him, he would go to the dogs, and she would be to blame. He approached nearer and put his arm around her waist. Clasped close to him, and feeling for a moment some of his own ardor, she wavered. She looked up into the handsome face eagerly bent down on hers. His hands were trembling from suppressed excitement and nervousness, in his eyes 90 flashed the strange fires that disturb women's souls and imperil their virtue. Hotly, passionately, he enfolded her in his arms, seeking her mouth with his, trying to awaken her sensuality, endeavoring to win in a moment of abandon what her cooler common sense and cold calculation had always denied him. But Kathryn was not the kind of a girl to be won in that way. Kindly but firmly she drew away. Men often over-estimate their powers of seduction. It is easier to light the flame of an extinct volcano than the voluptuousness of some women. It is merely a matter of temperament which different women possess in different degrees. In Kathryn the mentality was never subjugated to the physical. Even while Wilbur's kisses were hot on her lips, her mind saw the future clearly, lucidly. This man, although a charming companion, was a spend- thrift, a gambler, a voluptuary. He was not the kind of soul-mate she yearned for; he would always fall short of satisfying her spiritual and intellectual wants. Misunderstanding her silence, he pleaded with her, ardently, passionately: 91 THE GAMBLERS "Kathryn," he murmured, "do not keep me in suspense. Tell me will you be my wife?" She shook her head. "It's impossible," she answered nervously. "I'm very sorry, but I'm engaged to Mr. Darwin." The blood receded from his face, leaving him ghastly pale. It was a totally unexpected, crushing blow. For a few seconds he was too much stunned to speak. Rising stiffly, he said huskily : "I'm sorry you didn't tell me." "I'm sorry, too," she said, half apologetically. "I didn't want to tell any one. It isn't public yet. You forced me to speak. We are to be married next June." Hastily she added: "But that need make no difference in our friendship. I hope we'll always be good friends." He was about to protest when suddenly footsteps were heard approaching. "Hello, Kate!" said a man's voice. "I've been searching for you everywhere." The next instant James Darwin appeared. The lawyer gave both a keen, suspicious glance, and after shaking hands coolly with Wilbur, turned to Kathryn. The girl looked up in surprise. 92 DARWIN' EYED THEM SUSPICIOUSLY. Page 92. THE GAMBLERS "I didn't know you were here," she said quickly. The lawyer laughed cynically. "How could you hidden away here ?" Not noticing the irony, she demanded : "When did you come in?" "Only a few minutes ago. I was detained." "I began to think you weren't coming. Mr. Em- erson has been very kind keeping me company." Darwin bowed coldly and there was an awkward silence. At that moment the orchestra struck up another waltz. The lawyer extended his arm. Pointedly he said: "I believe this is my dance." The girl rose and, turning to Wilbur, said with a forced smile : "Will you excuse me?" He bowed without replying, and with a swish of her soft draperies she went away, leaning on Dar- win's arm. Standing still, as if rooted to the spot, Wilbur watched his successful rival lead away the woman he loved, the one woman for whom he would have done everything, sacrificed everything. So she was 93 THE GAMBLERS going to marry Darwin! He did not believe for an instant that she really cared for the lawyer. She was ambitious, she had been dazzled by the noise of Darwin's sudden success, fascinated by the prom- ise of other triumphs yet to come. He himself was not big enough for her. No doubt she thought him a fool, a failure, an incompetent, a man who could never rise above the common rut. Well, he would show her that she was mistaken. From this mo- ment on he would devote all his energies, every instant of his waking hours to acquiring position and fame. Vast wealth, unlimited power, should be his. He would show her who would have served her social ambitions best a pettifogging attorney or a man at whose frown Wall Street and the whole financial world would tremble. From now on he would go in for the money game, and he would play it for big stakes. Yes, the Emerson Bank must change its policy. Tooker and Raymond and the other directors were right. The bank was away be- hind the times. He must have an understanding at once with his father. He must be given a free rein. Then, with the bank behind him, he would show the world what he could do. 94 CHAPTER VI TWO years sped quickly by. And what may not happen in the space of two years? Dynasties may crumble and fall, men may be born and die. The ambitious may climb, only to tumble ignominiously. What had Wilbur Emerson done in two years? He had kept his word. He had at least shown of what he was capable. He had astonished the finan- cial world by his masterful tactics, his skillful manipulation, his audacious methods. They hailed him as the Napoleon of finance a wizard of Wall Street. His success had been complete, over- whelming. But it had not been accomplished without a strug- gle. Mr. Emerson, ST., had fought the proposed reorganization plan hard. He refused to sanction the suggestion of a chain of banks, and he opposed the new policy with all the vigor of which he was capable. Each director, Mr. Tooker, Mr. Raymond, and Mr. Cowper, took the old gentleman in hand 95 THE GAMBLERS in turn, and argued in support of Wilbur's scheme, all to no avail. He flatly refused to be convinced, and for a time the directors retired from the field, despairing of success. Wilbur alone persisted. His mind was fully made up. No one not even his father, whom he loved and revered could deter him, once that he was convinced that in a change of policy alone lay his stepping-stone to success and world recognition. He persisted in his arguments, his pleadings. A drop of water constantly dropping in one spot will in time wear away the stone. In time his forceful arguments began to have their effect on his father. John Emerson was a man of strong character and the highest integrity. No one could tempt him to deviate from the course, once he was convinced that it was the right one. Yet, in the armor of all strong men there is a weak spot somewhere. The weak spot of John Emerson was his love for his son. The way Wilbur put the matter before him caused him to reflect. He was getting old. In the natural course of things, he would not live very much longer. His son would succeed him as head of the Emerson Bank. Was it fair to handicap 96 THE GAMBLERS his son by insisting on the continuance of a policy, no matter how sound, which the other directors pronounced out of date and non-progressive? Cer- tainly he sympathized with some of the arguments advanced. Their younger competitors were taking away their business. The only way to fight them successfully was to use their own weapons, organize a chain of banks which, by the sheer weight of money, would either keep them at bay or compel them to retreat. All this the old gentleman consid- ered, until one morning he called Wilbur into his room. "My boy," he said, "I've thought it all out. Per- haps you're right. I guess I'm getting old. I con- fess I don't understand these modern financial methods. I'm going to let you work things out your own way, boy. I've the greatest confidence in you. Go in and win, and God bless you!" From that moment the Emerson Bank occupied a new place in metropolitan financial affairs. From an old-fashioned, conservative house, steadfastly faithful to the principles of sound banking practice, catering to and patronized by a quiet, staid, exclu- sive clientele, it became almost over-night an ag- 97 THE GAMBLERS gressive, enterprising and powerful institution, with branches scattered all over the city. Given a free rein in the management and backed up by Tooker, Raymond and Cowper, which gave him a majority on the directorate, Wilbur started in to organize a chain of banks, acquiring by purchase of majority stock, a number of institutions which insured him direct and sole control of almost unlimited cap- ital. Now the master of millions, he became a money power. Entering Wall Street, he played the game of stock manipulation on a colossal scale. He bought the controlling interest in important rail- roads which, by skillful maneuvering, he sold later at an enormous profit to competing lines. He or- ganized giant corporations, created vast trust com- panies which opened imposing offices in all the big cities in the Union. The name of Wilbur Emerson was on every one's lips. Men courted his favor, trembled at his frown. He was a huge, undisputed success, and the wealth he quickly piled up was shared by his fortunate associates. "I always said Wilbur would make good," grinned Tooker, pulling a wry face as he quaffed 98 THE GAMBLERS the glass of water, the only refreshment available, to his regret, at directors' meetings. "You mean he's fixed us good," interrupted Cow- per, suddenly awakened from his day dream. Jubilantly the young director was counting the days that still remained before his wedding day. Gladys had heretofore insisted on a preposterously long engagement, saying that no girl should be willing to marry a man for life unless she had had him under observation for at least a couple of years. But the wonderful success recently of all the Emer- son interests, in which success, of course, Mr. Cow- per shared, induced her to view the matter in a dif- ferent light, and without further ado she had con- sented to advance the date of the marriage. "Thank God it has turned out all right!" mur- mured old Mr. Emerson. "I had my doubts, my misgivings in the beginning, but I guess you gentle- men were right. I didn't understand modern finan- cial methods." While fortune had smiled on Wilbur Emerson and his projects, it had not neglected its other favor- ites. James Darwin, supported by a large majority at the last election, was now district attorney, and 99 THE GAMBLERS there was every promise of still higher political ad- vancement. His talent and energy, and the deter- mined vigorous warfare which he fearlessly waged against malefactors of every class, regardless of influence of wealth, had made him the popular idol of the hour. For all the world knew to the contrary, his mar- ried life was a very happy one. He and his beauti- ful young wife had a splendid home on Riverside Drive, where they entertained a good deal, but Kathryn had never been over-fond of society. She had little patience with silly, giggling women, and stupid people bored her. She was content with the companionship of a few selected friends and the intellectual delights that her reading and music gave her, reveling in the joys of a fine library, and stim- ulated by intellectual association with a brilliant husband. The outside world, which often forms an opinion when quite ignorant of the real facts, considered that she had every reason to feel happy and content. She looked unusually well, and had developed mentally and physically, blossoming out as young married women do, like lovely flowers, to maturity. Her cheeks had the ruddy glow of health TOO THE GAMBLERS and her line, dark eyes sparkled with exuberance and the joy of living. In spite of her husband's aloofness, she often vis- ited the Emersons, usually when she was sure that Wilbur was away from home. For, as she put it, Jim was dreadfully jealous and she had to be very careful. One day she explained matters frankly to Isabel. "Jim is kind, perfectly charming. He is an un- usual man, with sterling qualities of heart and mind. As far as I can discover, he has only one fault. He is insanely, unreasonably jealous. Why, I dare not even look at a man. For some reason he is frightfully jealous of your brother, Wilbur. He can't even hear his name mentioned. Of course, it's absurd, and sometimes it makes me very angry. He actually insisted that I stop coming here. I laughed at him. The idea! Just as if I were going to give up my best girlhood friend simply because he's absurdly jealous without cause." Isabel listened and shook her head. "Ah, Kate, if you had only married Wilbur!" The district attorney's wife looked away as she asked : 101 THE GAMBLERS "Does he ever speak of me?" Isabel shook her head. "No, I think he's trying to forget you. Be- sides, he's very busy with his financial opera- tions." Kathryn was silent. A recollection of that night of the dance was still fresh in her mind. Almost directly afterwards her engagement to Mr. Darwin was made public, and she saw Wilbur no more. Sometimes she caught a glimpse of him on the Ave- nue, but otherwise their pleasant intimacy was at an end. One day they met by accident at an "at home." It was very embarrassing. He was polite and amiable, but once, when suddenly she turned and caught him looking at her, she thought she detected a sad, reproachful expression in his face. Only recently she had seen him in a cab driving down Fifth Avenue at breakneck speed. His face looked stern and set. "I saw your brother on the avenue the other day," she said. "He was looking pale and worried. I hope he isn't ill." "No, no," replied Isabel quickly. "Wilbur is all right. At least, I suppose so. He nerer complains. 1 02 THE GAMBLERS We don't see much of him. He is tremendously busy." "Yes," replied Kathryn thoughtfully. "He has been wonderfully successful, hasn't he?" Wonderfully successful ! Such is the hasty, su- perficial judgment of the world, easily deceived by appearances, ignorant of the truth. 103 CHAPTER VII IT has been calculated that a financial crisis may be expected in the United States about every ten years. The progress of these stupendous cataclysms which, spreading misery and terror in their path, come in cycles every decade, may be easily followed by the student of economics. First there is the slow recovery from the previous panic, a long period of discouragement and business de- pression. Capital is timid ; public confidence is not yet restored. People are compelled to retrench; trade is bad everywhere. This continues for about five years. Then, as time goes on, the salutary les- sons of the past are gradually forgotten. Capital becomes bolder ; business starts to boom, the public, growing more optimistic daily, rushes headlong into all kinds of new enterprises. The pace grows swifter. Soon factories and industries all over the land are working overtime. The production is prodigious, the public extravagance unlimited. There is frenzied speculation on the Stock Ex- 104 THE GAMBLERS change. The prices of securities soar to record heights. Apparently the country was never so pros- perous. All at once, without warning, the skies darken; there is an ominous creak in the flimsily constructed edifice. A bank closes its doors. Dis- quieting rumors continue. People run to withdraw savings from the banks and hoard their money. The cycle has once more completed its course. Another panic is on. In the late autumn of 1906 there was nothing in the air or the general aspect of things to warn peo- ple that the dreaded cycle was again at hand and that the country was fast drifting towards one of the worst crises in its history. A stroll along Broadway revealed nothing wrong. The stores were full of shoppers, the hotels and theatres were doing a capacity business. The banks, securely pro- tected on the outside by massive steel bars, but strangely neglectful of the thieves within, transacted their normal amount of business, accepting serenely the money of trusting depositors. The streets were crowded with smart vehicles and well dressed peo- ple. There was evidence of wealth and luxury, gaiety and laughter everywhere. Factories and 105 THE GAMBLERS mills were humming to their capacity. Public works were being promoted, industrial enterprises of all kinds undertaken. Apparently the country was never so prosperous. And on the tip of every tongue was the name of Wilbur Emerson, the young Napoleon of Finance who had astonished the world by the magnitude of his operations, the sheer audacity of his deals, the amazing skill with which he handled the most intricate financial problems. His banks were all flourishing; almost every month he was adding to their number. Already Wall Street had felt the weight of the vast sums which had now passed un- der his direct control. The Money Trust, greedy for monopoly and jealous of any newcomer who challenged its supremacy, took alarm. If Emerson were permitted to go on building up his chain of banks in this manner, there was no telling what the end might be. The supreme power might be trans- ferred to other and abler hands. There were hur- ried secret sessions in the tall buildings that frown down upon lower Broadway. The money kings, recognizing in Wilbur Emerson a dangerous rival, decreed his ruin. One day stocks began to sell off on the Exchange. 1 06 THE GAMBLERS At first no one paid any particular attention. The market had been going up for some time, and a re- action was long overdue, but when the days passed and the decline continued, apparently without rea- son, the movement began to attract attention. Who was selling? Instead of abating, the decline continued, prices falling away with the speed of snow melting under the rays of the warm spring sun. The brokers' offices were crowded with men who watched the board with drawn, anxious faces. All sorts of ru- mors were flying around. The timid ones, appre- hensive of the worst, began to let go their holdings. In a single afternoon Steel Common dropped from 50 to 43; Union Pacific from 120 to no; Reading from 89 to 83. The next day the slaughter of prices continued. Feverish at the opening, stocks were urgently pressed for sale until, all at once, the hitherto steady decline developed into a demoralized rout. Pandemonium reigned on the floor of the Stock Exchange as the excited brokers threw over great blocks of stocks for whatever price they would bring, and amid wild scenes of tumultuous disorder made frantic efforts to execute their clients' orders. 107 THE GAMBLERS Wilbur, bending nervously over the ticker in his private office in the Emerson Bank, watched with blanched face and quivering lip the raging of the terrific financial battle. Telephone calls had already summoned Raymond, Tooker and Cowper to a hur- ried directors' meeting. The president's tremulous hand held the ribbon as it ran out of the machine telling the tragic story: US., 32; UP., 115; RG., 79 ; Cen, 97 the whole market down twenty dollars a share from the high, and still falling! "My God!" he muttered between his teeth. "Where will they end? If this goes on we are ruined; we face disgrace, and worse!" Unless the decline was soon checked, there was no telling what disaster might ensue, not only to Emerson interests, but to the whole country. Pub- lic confidence would be shaken, there would be runs on the banks, thousands of people would be made paupers. Well he understood what it all meant. This was a deadly blow directed at himself. Took- er's warning was prophetic. The Money Trust had set a trap and they had fallen in blindfolded. This unexpected break, coming suddenly at a moment when everything seemed serene, had caught them 1 08 THE GAMBLERS unprepared, and this, too, when all their resources were tied up in the new merger scheme. Practically every dollar they had was invested. It was impossi- ble to realize in this market without fearful loss, yet suppose the decline went on and the public, easily frightened, started to withdraw money from the banks? What then? They were heavily involved. Perhaps the Money Trust suspected as much. Once let the rumor start and the Clearing House refuse their paper, and they were done for. That would be the end ! As he realized in what peril he and his fellow directors stood, Wilbur turned hot and cold in turns. He blamed himself. He should have been more cautious, more prudent. What would his father say? He had no idea, he never dreamed to what extent they were involved. He had questioned nothing, he had trusted him im- plicitly, proud of his son's success, apologetic be- cause he had opposed modern methods so long. Modern methods ! Ah, what a bitter mockery ! The family's entire fortune might be swept away and his father reduced to want in his old age. The thought was maddening. Sooner than that, he 109 GAMBLERS would kill himself. Yet what good would that do? That was the coward's way. No, he must remain to fight it out, to provide, if necessary, for the dear ones whose future happiness and comfort had been imperiled by his recklessness. Now, perhaps, for the first time, he could picture the mental agony of those men who, caught in like manner, have ended it with a bullet rather than face exposure. Suddenly the door opened and Raymond entered hurriedly, followed by looker. The directors' faces showed that they were badly frightened. "Well ?" demanded Raymond, going to the ticker. "How are prices now ?" "They can't keep going down," muttered Tooker anxiously. "There must be a bottom somewhere !" While Wilbur continued to pace the floor, Ray- mond picked up the tape which, like a long, wrig- gling snake, had overfilled the basket and spread out all over the floor, and with the inevitable cigar jammed into the corner of his mouth, he read ofT: . "US., 2Sy 2 ; UP., 109; Cen, 92 ^ ; SR, 67." A groan from his associates interrupted him. Meantime Cowper had quietly entered the room and joined the throng gathered round the ticker Ray- no THE GAMBLERS mond threw down the tape and dropped into a chair. "Good God!" exclaimed Tooker, "this is awful. Do you fellows realize what it means?" Wilbur turned and faced him. With forced calmness he said: "Yes, it means a run on all our banks, and we are utterly unprepared." "But we are solvent, aren't we?" exclaimed Cowper. "Yes, if we had time to realize on our securities," replied Wilbur quickly. "But we need ready cash and " He stopped and looked squarely at each director. No one spoke. The silence was oppressive. Wil- bur continued : "It has taken all our capital, as you know, gen- tlemen, to put through the mergers. If this raid on the market had happened a month later, we should have been all right; but coming now, it cre- ates a desperate situation. That is the long and short of it." Raymond gave vent to an expressive grunt. Surlily he said : "This comes of going in too deep." in THE GAMBLERS Tooker flared up angrily. "Now, what's the use of doing the baby act, Giles? You voted with all of us for the mergers to be put through, and you knew exactly where the money was to come from. You make me tired !" Wilbur put up his hand. "Gentlemen, no words, please. This is no time for quarreling. The question is, what can we do to meet this emergency?" At that instant the telephone bell rang. Quickly Wilbur snatched up the receiver. After listening a moment he hung it up and turned to his fellow directors. His face was a shade whiter and his lips trembled as he said: "It is as feared. A quiet run has set in on our downtown bank. The manager of the Broadway bank telephones that the line already extends to the street. There is enough money to last through to- day, but to-morrow " "To-morrow?" echoed the directors in chorus. "What about our reserves they are intact !" "Unless we can raise $2,000,000 in gold by nine o'clock to-morrow morning," repeated Wilbur coldly, without noticing the interruption, "the Em- 112 THE GAMBLERS erson banks will be forced to suspend. I'm not afraid of the run. We've got enough cash now in the vaults to pay everyone who comes. In our dif- ferent branches we have still got more than $5,000,000 in gold. But just now we need some of that money for other purposes than paying out to frightened depositors. We're caught long of the market. That Nelson merger must go through, or we might just as well surrender to our enemies now and confess ourselves beaten. To carry out this deal to a successful issue and to protect ourselves in the Street, I must have to-morrow morning at least $2,000,000." "Two millions in gold!" cried the directors in dismay. "Two millions in gold," repeated Wilbur calmly. "Where can we get it?" demanded Raymond. "Let's hear what you propose," said Tooker. "Have you any idea?" inquired Cowper. Wilbur faced his associates calmly. His face was white as death, but about his mouth were the determined lines, the set expression of the man who, driven into a corner, still refuses to admit he is defeated. His enemies should not triumph over THE GAMBLERS his downfall. What he was about to propose was as audacious, as daring, as anything as he had yet done. It was a crime. Yet there was no help for it. It must be done, if only to save hundreds of people from ruin. The Money Trust was fighting him unfairly, unlawfully; well, he would protect himself, even if he had to break the Federal bank- ing laws. Facing his associates, he said calmly : "Yes, gentlemen, I have a plan ; it is the only way to save ourselves from disgrace and ruin. If we can stop the run and restore confidence, we shall win the day. When the Emerson banks open to- morrow morning they must be stacked high with money, so all who come may see and go out and tell the rest. Our merger must go through. We must present a smiling face to our foes. Where can we get that money? I'll tell you. There is no time for that. Quick action is necessary. We must take it from the reserve " "What? Touch the reserves?" ejaculated Ray- mond, startled. "Touch the reserves!" exclaimed Tooker and Cowper. "No, gentlemen, just borrow from the reserves, 114 THE GAMBLERS that's all. We need two millions ; I think that sum will tide us over. There are two millions in cash downstairs in our vaults at the present moment. I had hoped to leave the reserves intact. It is im- possible. We are in too deep. We will take that money and put up collateral." "Collateral?" interrupted Tooker. "What col- lateral?" "Our notes, gentlemen. Each of us will give his note for $400,000 Raymond, Tooker, Cowper, my father and myself. There will be five notes aggregating $2,000,000." Raymond shook his head. "It's monkeying with a buzz saw, my boy. If the bank examiners got wind of that there'd be the devil to pay." "Yes, it's dangerous!" objected Tooker. "Can you suggest any other course?" demanded Wilbur. As no one spoke he went on: "The money is only taken for two days. At the end of that time we can borrow enough to take up the notes. It's only a question of getting out among our friends. You, Raymond ; you, Tooker, can eas- ily raise half a million each." THE GAMBLERS Raymond nodded. "Yes, if I have time. I guess it's as good a plan as there is. As you say, we'll take up the notes and no one will be the wiser. But what about your father? Will he be willing?" Wilbur nodded. Quickly he said : "I'll see my father. He'll do anything I say." "All right," said Raymond, "prepare the note and I'll sign it." "Very well," chimed in Tooker and Cowper, "we'll sign." Cowper picked up the tape. "How are prices now?" demanded Wilbur quickly. Cowper gave an exclamation of dismay. "Great God! Just look at it! The bottom's fallen out of the market. They're throwing stocks away for anything they'll bring." The telephone bell rang again. Wilbur unhooked the receiver and put it to his ear. After listening a moment he spoke through the receiver. "It's all right, we're watching the market; the turn must come soon. Don't sell us out on any account. We'll send you $500,000 more margin 116 THE GAMBLERS to-morrow. Keep on buying- all the Reading in sight below seventy." Hanging 1 up the receiver, he turned to his asso- ciates and exclaimed hoarsely: "It's our broker. We're long of Reading at 101. It's selling at 74. He demands more margin im- mediately." "That's all right," drawled Raymond. "He shall have it. Draw those notes and we'll sign them." 117 CHAPTER VIII FOUR o'clock was striking in the big custom- ers' room of the Emerson Bank. The day's business was over. The tellers had gone home. The clerks were closing their ledgers. Soon the last employee had taken his departure and the watchman began to get busy locking and barring the massive steel doors. The bank was deserted, yet not everybody had gone. Upstairs in his private office Wilbur Emer- son sat at his desk, deep in the study of a number of loose sheets of paper, closely filled with figures and intricate calculations. Every now and then he rose from his seat, and going to the now silent stock ticker, picked up the tape and ran over the cabalistic signs and figures. Then, throwing it aside with a gesture of impatience, he strode nervously up and down the room. "Why doesn't Cowper come?" he muttered to himself. "It's past four. He ought to be here. If he's only been able to raise the money, it will put us right." 118 THE GAMBLERS Dropping into the seat at the desk, he buried his face in his two hands. The continued mental and physical strain was more than he could bear. Unless the tide turned soon he would be an utter wreck. People envied him, talked about his success. Little they knew what it had cost. What does the world know or care? The man who, by sheer audacity, does big things is the hero of the hour. While the sun shines he is courted, envied; but once let the tide turn ; his friends fall away, he is maligned, for- gotten. Who can guess at what cost this apparent success, this tremendous publicity has been attained, at what awful sacrifice of health or honor, or both? He had succeeded beyond his wildest hopes. He had tasted the sweets of power, great wealth had been within his grasp. But now the tide seemed on the ebb. Of late things had gone badly. He had avoided destruction only by a fluke. As he sat there all alone thinking, scheming, the seriousness of his position became clearer to him. Something must be done and quickly. The strain he was under was slowly undermining his reason. Utterly exhausted, he felt himself about to collapse. Gradually his highly nervous condition gave way 119 THE GAMBLERS to a dull feeling of insensibility and indifference The world and its affairs seemed a million miles away. All outward disturbances the cries in the streets, the noise of traffic, the tick of the clock had a strange, far-away sound. They were there, as usual, but he heard them not. Before his feverish mental vision arose the face and form of a girl whose image he had never ceased to carry in his heart, although she had married another man. What would she say to his disgrace ? In his fevered fancy he thought he could detect an expression of sadness in her large, luminous dark eyes. She seemed to beckon him to come to her, as if she had something important to impart to him. Perhaps she was unhappy with her husband. How Dar- win would exult over his downfall! Already he could hear him exclaiming gleefully: "I told you so!" What a sacrifice she had made of her life, what a wreck they had made of both their lives! If she had married him, things might have been different. He would not have been tempted into all this wild frenzy of speculation. She would have been his guiding star, his sane adviser. If he got out of this scrape it would be a lesson 1 20 THE GAMBLERS to him. Never again would he allow himself to be tempted. It was not his fault if the bank had be- come so deeply involved. No man with red blood in his veins would have acted differently. He had done it for the best. If he had not succeeded in making that merger with the Nelson Bank the other fellows powerful business rivals would have at once secured control. The situation was such that it became absolutely imperative to block their game. To make the merger, money was needed a lot of money. None was available. Carefully made plans for the quick realization of a million dollars had failed failed miserably at the eleventh hour. Then the market went to pieces. They had to protect their holdings at all hazards. A loan was out of the question. There was no time for that. Yet they must have money if they were to circumvent and thwart their foes. Money he had to get, somehow, somewhere. All at once, like a flash, it had dawned upon him the vaults of the Emerson banks! Over five million dollars in specie lay idle in the vaults. By using some of it he could make it yield a return to the stockholders of over 25 per cent. It was a legitimate business transaction. The 121 THE GAMBLERS merger would promote their interests. Of course, it was dangerous, it was wrong, to touch the bank's reserves. But who would be the wiser? It would never get out. The personal notes of himself and his fellow directors were collateral for the loan. There was plenty of time to take up the notes and pay back the money. The bank had only recently been examined; another examination was not due for months. Well, it was all over with now. For the time being they had confounded their enemies and had a breathing spell. The Money Trust, amazed at their powers of resistance, had stayed their hand, the decline on the Exchange had stopped, prices were recovering. The public, feeling more confi- dence, had ceased to harass the banks. The worst of the storm was over, but the skies were not yet clear by any means. As long as those notes were in the vaults, as long as the money they had taken was not repaid, there was danger. Already there had been disquieting rumors. Only last evening the financial column of an evening newspaper had made vague allusions to a well-known promoter who had successfully weathered the storm, although 122 THE GAMBLERS known to be heavily long of the market. "Wall Street rumor," the writer went on to say, "had it that the institution of which the promoter was the head narrowly escaped finding itself in a serious predicament." When he read that Wilbur winced. His enemies were watching him, that was very evi- dent. No doubt some of them had guessed how he had dammed the flood. Probably complaint had already been made to the authorities, which would explain the despatch they had received from Wash- ington: "The bank examiner will visit your insti- tution next week." The shock had come like a bolt from the blue. A hurried call brought the badly frightened di- rectors together again once more in secret session. Raymond, livid from anxiety, had dropped his air of insolent bravado ; Tooker was peevish and peni- tent, Cowper morose. Raymond and Cowper were disposed to blame Wilbur. Wrath fully the young man turned on them till they winced. "Don't sit snarling here," he shouted. "Get out and hustle for money. Those notes must be made good. The bank examiner will be here next week. No power on earth can prevent his discovering what 123 THE GAMBLERS we've done. If he finds our notes and then discov- ers the specie gone, he'll make a report to Washing- ton, and a thorough investigation will be ordered. The notes will be discovered. No power on earth can save us from indictment!" "What can we do? What can we do?" came from the directors in frightened chorus. "Get out and hustle for money. Go to your friends. Rush all over town. Borrow it or steal it, any way you like. But get the money somehow, and help take up those notes. I'll do the same. You, also, Cowper. What about those rich relatives of yours in Philadelphia? Jump on the train and see what you can raise to save us! Report back here to me." ******** The time dragged along, and still Wilbur sat at his desk waiting for Cowper. He had been four days away. He ought to have done something by this time. Suddenly he thought he heard a foot- step, and he started from the chair and listened intently. No, he was mistaken. It was not Cow- per ; only the watchman closing up the bank. Where could he be all this time? Sitting down before his 124 THE GAMBLERS desk once more he became absorbed again in the maze of figures on the sheet of paper before him, desperately trying to find some way out, some loop- hole of escape from the impending ruin. Money money must be obtained at once. The incriminat- ing notes must be taken up without delay. If only he had more time. Tooker and Raymond had no resources; all their money was invested; but Cow- per had rich friends. If only he would come. A cab stopped at the curb outside. A moment later a door slammed downstairs. He heard the watchman greet the newcomer. He started from his seat. This time he was not mistaken. It was Cowper. The next instant the young director entered the room. He was breathing hard, his face white and haggard. Advancing eagerly, Wilbur ex- claimed : "Well, Cowper?" The young man dropped exhausted into a seat and shook his head despondently. "Nothing!" Wilbur stopped short. His fingers opened and dosed spasmodically. 125 THE GAMBLERS "Nothing?" he echoed hoarsely. "No; I saw Mr. Weinstrom. He's several times a millionaire. He wouldn't lend us a cent. I saw Mr. Saxe with the same result. Mr. Lucas was in Europe. Mr. Johnson refused flatly. They all talked pretty frankly " "What what did they say?" "They said they didn't like your methods; that sooner or later you'd come a cropper." Wilbur's face twitched painfully. The lines about his eyes and mouth deepened. He grew ashy pale. "Then it's all up, Cowper." His fellow director looked up, alarmed. "What do you mean?" demanded the newcomer. "I mean that you and I all of us will have to go to jail for this !" "To jail !" cried Cowper, turning pale. Wilbur nodded gravely. Firmly he said: "Yes, to jail. We have broken the law. We are common malefactors. We may each get ten years. Nothing can save us from the penitentiary the authorities already suspect us. An investigation may begin to-morrow. An indictment by the grand 126 THE GAMBLERS jury will speedily follow. That fellow Darwin would jump at the chance to prosecute us; he's always had a personal grudge against me, and under the pretence of doing a public service he will leave no stone unturned to put us behind the bars." Cowper listened in consternation. His face had grown ashen white. "Can't you do something?" he cried. "I've done everything possible," replied Wilbur calmly. "I have left nothing undone. There is still a chance that I may be able to save the situa- tion. I am now negotiating for a loan. If I suc- ceed we are saved; if I fail we're lost." Cowper looked at him in dismay. "Prison!" he wailed, terror-stricken. "I never dreamed of anything like that." Advancing to- wards Wilbur, his hands outstretched, he exclaimed pleadingly: "Oh, Emerson, I couldn't stand that, I could not. It would wreck my life utterly. You know I'm engaged to Gladys Norman. Our wed- ding is fixed for next month. This will stop every- thing. Her family would not let her marry a felon." 127 THE GAMBLERS Wilbur looked at him in silence. With a shade of irony in his voice he said quietly : "It's no worse for you, Cowper, than for the rest of us." "Perhaps not. But I could not bear it I could not." Wilbur looked at his watch. "There is still twenty-four hours before the ex- aminer's visit." Taking his hat he said impatiently : "In that time we may be able to do something. Don't stand moaning there. Get out and do some- thing. Go and see Harris & Harris, ask Richard- son & Co., appeal to Woodford & Son. We've done them favors in the past. See what you can do. I'll do the same. I'll turn the city inside out to raise that money." "And if you don't succeed?" demanded Cowper fearfully. "We all go to jail !" was the laconic rejoinder. 128 CHAPTER IX THE Darwins' home at No. Riverside Drive, if not the largest and most expen- sive of the many stately residences that face the swiftly flowing Hudson, was certainly one of the most attractive and artistic. The house was an American basement, with a fagade of white mar- ble in purest Greek style of architecture. Hand- some highly polished gates gave access to a spa- cious reception hall, at the end of which were broad stairs leading to the living rooms above. The hall, thickly carpeted and hung with rich tapestries, tro- phies and rare engravings, bespoke the culture and taste of the owner. On the second floor in front was the drawing room, treated in white and gold; at the rear the dining room, with beamed ceiling and wainscoted walls. Upstairs, on the third floor, and occupying the entire width of the building, was the library, a splendid room of noble proportions, with an immense bay window overlook- ing the river. 129 THE GAMBLERS This room, luxuriously and warmly upholstered in a rich, red plush and lined from floor to ceiling with black walnut shelves rilled with books, was Kathryn's paradise. Dominating the mantel was a fine, life-size bust of Lincoln, the Emancipator; in a corner stood a stand displaying a fine suit of medieval armor. Here among the world's classics Kathryn could browse to her heart's content and satisfy the intellectual side of her nature. It was all that was left in her life, for she did not love her husband. She had found that out long ago, and it was a great secret grief which she carried in her heart. It was too late now for regrets. She must live the life she had made for herself. She tried to do her duty by her husband, seeing after his crea- ture comforts and managing his household, but oth- erwise, they saw little of each other. A very busy man, with all kinds of political irons in the fire, Darwin was not able to spend much time at home. His official duties kept him down- town all day, and almost every night he was sum- moned to attend a big dinner or address some meeting. Kathryn had her own suite of rooms, her own friends, her amusements. She spent her time 130 THE GAMBLERS paying calls, shopping, riding in the park, play- ing bridge, reading or writing. Thus the days passed pleasantly enough, so agreeably that it never occurred to her that James was really her husband in name only. On the other hand, when occasion- ally they passed an evening together in the library, she found him a charming companion. She ad- mired his broad, intellectual outlook, his wide, sane reading. His vigorous mentality and interesting conversation acted as a powerful stimulant to her own literary aspirations. She rejoiced in his suc- cess, and it pleased her vanity to be pointed at in public as the beautiful young wife of the famous district attorney. But that was not love, and there were times when her heart craved for that which she realized was lacking in her life. When at home it was the lawyer's custom to work in his library. There was a great flat desk strewn with papers in the middle of the room, and frequently, night after night, he would sit there until the small hours of the morning, poring over affidavits and other legal papers connected with the cases that he was then trying before the courts. For the past two weeks he had been kept especially busy THE GAMBLERS with a case that absorbed all his energies and made a call on every instant of his time. It was a case with sensational features and one which, if success- fully handled, would not only draw to him the at- tention of the Federal authorities, but give him the reputation of being one of the most wide-awake and energetic district attorneys New York had ever had. But that was not all. In addition to the hope of personal glorification and advancement, there was still another and stronger incentive revenge! James Darwin knew his wife did not love him. His instinct told him that. Apparently they got along together. The outside world thought they were a happy, ideal couple. But the lawyer had never deceived himself. His wife did not love him. He possessed her body ; she was his by law ; but he did not possess her soul. That eluded him, and the conviction of it embittered him. He said nothing, preferring to suffer in silence, and gradually their relations became those of friends who for reasons of policy wish to remain on good terms and studi- ously avoid doing anything that is likely to cause words or friction. But calm and courteous without, the attorney 132 THE GAMBLERS raged within. He had thought to find heaven in this marriage ; he had found only hell. Distracted, almost frenzied with jealousy, he began to study Kathryn, trying to read her mind. Was Wilbur Emerson his rival in her affections? He recalled that night of the dance, when he had unexpectedly interrupted their tete-a-tete in the conservatory. Was it possible that she still thought of the fellow, that she loved him? Like a flash other thoughts, giving corroboration to this idea, came crowding into his brain. Kathryn, he was well aware, was still very intimate with Wilbur Emerson's sister. His wife visited the Emerson home frequently. It was only natural that she should meet the brother. Perhaps it was the brother that attracted her ! The very thought drove him into a frenzy. Perhaps they met elsewhere! Perhaps they were good friends; perhaps they were As he sat and pondered it all came back to him. Kathryn had shown great interest in Wilbur Em- erson's success. His father had left him to man- age the Emerson Bank, and he had started in to do big things. He recalled that he had scoffed at the news. He had heard of these get-rich-quick fel- 133 THE GAMBLERS lows before. They went up like a rocket, but came down with the stick. Mr. Emerson, Jr., he laughed derisively, would bear watching. And he had watched these two years watched as a cat watches a mouse, a tiger its prey. If any- thing went wrong, was not he, James Darwin, dis- trict attorney, there to set it right and punish the offenders in the name of the people? And how doubly gratifying for a public officer to feel not only that he is doing his duty to the community, but at the same time settling an old score with the man who had stolen away his domestic happiness and ruined his life! This, with James Darwin, be- came the one obsession, the one fixed thought. His instinct told him there was something wrong in the wildcat financial schemes of the new bank man- agement, that it was only a question of time when Wilbur Emerson would be caught in a trap of his own making. He did not have long to wait. The operations of the Emerson Bank grew more and more extensive. Millions of dollars were involved in financial un- dertakings of huge magnitude. The ramifications of the concern gradually became so extensive that, 134 THE GAMBLERS were anything to affect the credit of the parent bank, a commercial panic might ensue. Rumors flew thick and fast and the scandal grew until at last the Fed- eral authorities took the initiative. Word reached Washington through indirect channels that the di- rectors of the Emerson Bank were borrowing in ex- cess of their capital a punishable offence. A straw will show which way the wind is blowing. Scenting trouble, the authorities quietly ordered an investiga- tion. If, as was feared, irregularities were discov- ered, the banking department would immediately take charge of the institution. The district attorney would go before the grand jnry with evidence in- criminating the directors, and their arrests would follow. This is what had kept Mr. Darwin busy, and he had left no stone unturned to ensure success. His detectives men of the Secret Service watched the Emerson Bank, and also the Emerson residence, night and day. Wilbur Emerson and his associates were kept constantly shadowed; they did not make a move without their actions being instantly re- ported to Mr. Darwin. Meantime, being well aware of his wife's close association with the Emersons 135 THE GAMBLERS and afraid that she might be tempted to give them warning of the impending proceedings, he was care- ful to say nothing about his plans to Kathryn. Although well aware that her husband would never become reconciled to her keeping up her inti- macy with the Emersons, Kathryn had always in- sisted on maintaining her independence in this re- spect. Not that she deliberately set herself to dis- please him, but she did not see why she should be forced to terminate the friendship of a lifetime sim- ply because he saw fit to be unreasonably, insanely jealous. There was one function in the Emerson home particularly that she never missed, and that was Isabel's birthday. The first year after their marriage he had objected strenuously to her going, and this year he was even more obstinate in his opposition. "Kate, I would rather you did not go," he said firmly. "But why?" she persisted. "Isabel is about the only woman friend I have. I've been going to their birthday parties for years long before I married you. Why should you try to deprive me of this little pleasure?" 136 THE GAMBLERS "There is a reason. I am not at liberty to tell you what that reason is. It should be enough that I express the wish that you do not go." Knowing of no other possible reason than a ridic- ulous jealousy of Wilbur Emerson, she lost her temper for the first time. Hotly she said : "Yes, that's it! You express the wish, and you think I must obey like some wretched, beaten slave. You consult only your own selfishness. You are absurdly jealous. You think I meet Wilbur Emer- son there when I go. Well, if it will comfort you I'll tell you this I never see him. He's never there. Sometimes I'm sorry he isn't. He might help me to forget how unhappy I am at home." His lips tightened and there was a dangerous flash in his eyes. She was sorry now that she had said so much. Of course, she didn't mean a word of it. Womanlike, to save the situation, she took refuge in tears. Darwin, incensed almost beyond control, mas- tered himself by an effort. Calmly he said: "You are mistaken, Kathryn. Jealousy does not enter into the matter at all. I have too much respect for the woman I married to even harbor such a 137 THE GAMBLERS thought. But now, since you insist on knowing the true reason why I wish your visits to the Emerson house to cease, I will tell you the real state of affairs. Emerson's chain of banks is being investigated. The Federal expert examiners are about to take posses- sion, and in all probability the hands of the Govern- ment will fall heavily on them. It means disgrace, most likely imprisonment. In my position as special appointee of the United States attorney general, I cannot allow my wife to remain on terms of social intimacy with with prospective criminals." "James!" she protested. "Oh, I hardly expected you to sympathize with my attitude," he said bitterly. "We so seldom agree on anything, but I am making the investigation, and I am in a position to know what they are. However, that is not the point. I have expressed a wish that you do not go. That ought to be suf- ficient." The blood rushed to her face. For an instant she was seized by an almost irresistible impulse to rebel, to tell him she hated him, that she had done with him forever. But the impulse passed and she said calmly: 138 THE GAMBLERS "Very well, James, as you wish." A few days later Darwin had forgotten the inci- dent. He was at work in his library going over the papers connected with the case. Kathryn had gone out horseback riding in the park and had not yet returned. Matters relating to the suspected bank were reaching an acute stage. No inkling of trou- ble had reached the public. The financial skies were as yet serene, but it was only the calm before the storm. Those on the inside of affairs in Wall Street were well aware that one of the flimsiest structures of wildcat finance seen in years was about to topple. James Darwin exulted. Ordinarily he was not a vindictive man. His political enemies had scoffed at him as chicken-hearted because, in court one day, out of pity, he had let a crippled prisoner escape pun- ishment. But in this case he was pitiless. He for- got friendship, mercy, everything in his wild, un- reasoning, jealous rage. Even the fact that the Emersons were his wife's closest friends did not deter him. It made no difference. Even if she came and knelt at his feet and implored him to let Wilbur Emerson go, he would refuse. On that point he was determined, implacable. His only 139 THE GAMBLERS anxiety now was concerning his ability to prove Wilbur guilty. He might have broken the law, committed a felony. But how could it be proved? Would he be able to find sufficient proofs to show that he had committed a crime? He was deeply absorbed in these reflections when he heard the front door bell ring downstairs. An interval followed, and Jane, the maid, appeared. "A gentleman called to see you, sir." Mr. Darwin turned angrily. "Didn't I tell you, Jane, that I was busy, and not to be disturbed?" "Yes, sir," said the maid, apologetically, "that's what I told the gentleman, but he insisted. He said it was of the greatest importance, that he must see you at once." "Who is he?" "Here's his card, sir." The girl handed her master a bit of pasteboard. Mr. Darwin glanced at it. Not recognizing the name and puzzled, he said to himself : "Mr. George Cowper. Cowper Cowper? Who's he?" "I don't know, sir. I asked him if you knew 140 THE GAMBLERS him. He said that you did not know him person- ally, but that if you wanted to know, I was to tell you he was one of the directors of the Emerson Bank." Darwin jumped up from his chair. Now he knew. Of course George Cowper ! He was one of the men mentioned in the indictment. Why had he called? There could be only one reason. He had come in the hope of securing immunity at the expense of his fellow directors. This was the op- portunity he had looked for. Through this traitor he could secure the proofs he had been seeking. Concealing his exultation as well as he was able, he turned to the maid. "Show the gentleman up." A moment later Cowper entered the room. He was ashen pale and his manner agitated. Awk- wardly he said: "I must apologize for this intrusion, Mr. Darwin. I don't know if you remember me. I met you some years ago." "Yes, of course; glad to see you," said the law- yer, cordially pointing to a chair. "Sit down, Mr. Cowper." 141 THE GAMBLERS Cowper dropped into a chair. For a moment there was silence. Neither spoke. Darwin had cleverly arranged the seats in such a manner that the light from the desk lamp fell full on his visitor's face, while his own remained in the shadow. With- out saying a word, he fixed the bank director with an almost hypnotic stare. Quickly he took mental measure of the man. He's a coward, he thought to himself. He's afraid. He knows a crime has been committed, and he hopes to escape punishment by rendering some service to the State which will buy his pardon. Yet, ready as he was to accept the traitor's services, Darwin could not help feeling contempt for the trembling wretch who, with his eyes glued to the floor, was ashamed to look him in the face. "You know who I am?" stammered the visitor. Darwin nodded. Quickly he answered: "Yes, you are Mr. George Cowper, one of the directors of the Emerson Bank, and you come here on pressing business connected with what has been going on at the bank." Cowper started. "How did you know?" he demanded in surprise. 142 THE GAMBLERS Darwin laughed. "We lawyers make a habit of making a quick diagnosis. Besides, one doesn't have to be a Sher- lock Holmes to guess that. Your look, your man- ner is enough. You have come here to find out what measures the authorities are about to take against the directors." Cowper started; his face grew livid. Trem- blingly he asked : "The authorities are going to act ?" "Immediately," replied Darwin firmly. "We know everything. Detectives have been watching your every move for weeks. The affairs of the bank are well known. We know that you men have depleted the bank, robbed the depositors. For that crime you will go to the penitentiary !" Cowper started from his seat as if he had been shot. Agitatedly he cried: "My God ! You wouldn't do that !" he cried. Shrugging his shoulders, Darwin replied coldly: "It doesn't rest with me, but with the Court. You have violated the Federal banking law. You will be indicted as sure as there's a God in heaven, and I'll help to convict you!" 143 THB GAMBLERS The wretched man cowered before him. "Have mercy ! Think of our position our fam- ilies!" Darwin turned fiercely on him. "Mercy! Why should I consider you? Have you and your associates considered the unfortunate people who foolishly entrusted their money to your care? They may lose all they possess all they owned in the world. You'll lose only your liberty, which you could not value much, seeing you jeopar- dized it so readily." "I do prize it, Mr. Darwin; I do, indeed!" cried the unhappy man. "I could not face this disgrace. I am soon to be married. It would be the end of everything. If she gives me up I shall shoot my- self. We did wrong. I see it now. I did not real- ize it before. Emerson asked me to sign one of the notes as dummy collateral for the loan, and " Quickly Darwin picked him up. At last he was on the track. He had tangible proofs at last "Ah, yes, the notes !" he exclaimed. "How many notes were there ?" "Five notes of $400,000 each." 144 THE GAMBLERS The lawyer repeated after him. "Five notes of $400,000 each?" "Yes, sir." "Who signed these notes?" "Wilbur Emerson, Mr. Emerson, Sr., Mr. Tooker, Mr. Raymond and myself." Bending nearer and staring closely at his almost crazed visitor, Darwin questioned him, trying by hypnotic suggestion to entrap him with damaging admissions. "These notes were put in the vaults to take the place of the money taken by you, amounting to ?" "Two million dollars, yes, sir." "For the purpose of putting through the merger ?" "Yes, sir." Darwin relapsed into silence. Only by a nervous tapping of his finger nails on the polished surface of the desk did he betray his inward exultation. Looking up, he said carelessly: "Where are those notes now?" "In the vault, sir." "How do you know?" 145 THE GAMBLERS "I saw them this afternoon." "How did you come to see them? Were you in the vaults?" "Yes, sir. Wilbur Emerson knows the bank is about to be investigated. He's badly frightened. He is straining every nerve to find money to take up the notes. We have failed to raise a dollar. To-day he and I were in the vaults looking over the securities. I saw the notes. They are in a blue envelope." Darwin looked fixedly at him. In a milder, per- suasive tone he said suggestively: "Mr. Cowper, I feel sorry for you. I do indeed. I'm inclined to think you are not so much to blame as the others. If I asked you to do me a favor, in return for which I promise to drop all proceedings against you personally, would you do it?" Cowper jumped eagerly from his chair. "My God, sir, I would, indeed! What is it?" Darwin came right to the point. "Mr. Cowper, I want those notes. I want to have them in my possession by to-morrow night. The bank is closed now ; the vaults are locked. But you can get them first thing in the morning. Make 146 THE GAMBLERS duplicates of them, and put the duplicates back in the blue envelope. Bring the originals to me. Do you understand?" Cowper rose, white and trembling. He averted his face, as if ashamed to meet the lawyer's eyes. Tremblingly he said: "I don't know what you think of me, Mr. Dar- win. I'm a cur, I know it. But I can't help it. I can't fight any longer. I can't go to prison. I love this girl I'm going to marry. I can't lose her. You understand " Darwin opened the door. "Yes, I understand. Good-bye, Mr. Cowper. I shall expect you here at 8 o'clock to-morrow night with the notes." 147 CHAPTER X THE gigantic figures of the colossal clock in the Metropolitan Tower were just on the stroke of nine when a red taxicab with a solitary passenger sped across Madison Square through the pouring rain and dashed furiously along the Great White Way in the direction of uptown. Recklessly driven vehicles are not rare enough in Manhattan to excite comment, but there was some- thing so extraordinary in the speed of this particu- lar cab that every one turned to look after it. It was a bad night, wet and stormy, and Broadway was comparatively free from traffic. But for this fact, such a break-neck pace would have been impossible. So fast was the gait that sharp corners were turned practically on two wheels, collisions were avoided by only hair-breadth margins, pedestrians were splashed with mud thrown by the furiously revolving wheels. Either the driver or his fare was in a terrible hurry, or it was a matter of life or death. No matter, the driver pushed his machine to the limit, now grazing 148 THE GAMBLERS a fruit huckster's cart, now just missing a street car, now perilously near knocking down a dear old lady. Traffic policemen whistled and held up their hands in warning ; at Forty-second Street the driver was forced to a halt and threatened with arrest for speeding. But, once out of the policeman's sight, he pulled her wide open once more and soon was traveling as rapidly as ever. He dashed furiously through Long Acre Square, sped like the wind across Columbus Circle, and at Seventy-second Street turned sharply to the left. Churning due west, he again veered to the right, when he came to Riverside Drive, and following the avenue until he came to No. , stopped his smoking, panting machine at the curb. The door of the cab opened and James Darwin stepped out. He smiled as he passed a bill to the driver. "That was worth double fare, Jack. You needn't come for me in the morning. I'm off for Washing- ton to-night." The man touched his cap. "Very good, sir." The district attorney was in particularly good 149 THE GAMBLERS humor that evening. Things certainly continued to go his way. Mr. Cowper had assured him by telephone that he had succeeded in securing the incriminating notes and would bring them to the house that evening. Directly they were in his pos- session, he would go before the grand jury. The net was gradually being drawn closer. Wilbur Em- erson and his get-rich-quick associates would soon be put under arrest. Entering the hall, he threw his coat to the maid. Carelessly he asked : "Is Mrs. Darwin upstairs?" The girl looked at her master in surprise. "Mrs. Darwin went out, sir." The lawyer turned quickly. "Went out? Where to?" "Didn't you know, sir? It's Miss Isabel Emer- son's birthday. They have a party to-night. The missis left here half an hour ago. She left a note for you upstairs, sir." The lawyer started with surprise. Kathryn had promised she would not go to the party. An angry exclamation sprang to his lips, but he suppressed it. He did not care to have the servants think that 150 THE GAMBLERS he and his wife could not get along. Hurrying to the library he found lying on his desk a note has- tily scribbled in pencil. It ran as follows: DEAR JIM : I simply couldn't help it. Isabel has just telephoned that I must go. I couldn't refuse. I know you're too busy to come. But couldn't you come late, to bring me home ? Love, KATE. Wrath fully, Darwin crushed the note up in his hand. Savagely he muttered : "Come late ! Yes, no doubt she preferred that, so she could dance and flirt to her heart's content with that banker crook the man who in a few hours would be behind prison bars." He was amazed that she had dared disobey him. Knowing the peculiar conditions, she ought to have seen the indelicacy of accepting the invitation. How would it look before the world to see the wife of a district attorney on social terms with a thief a man whom he was about to prosecute and send to jail ? It was intolerable. He had told her distinctly not to go, and she had willfully disobeyed him. There was only one thing to do. He must go at once to the Emerson home and make her leave. He did not like taking such an extreme step, but he THE GAMBLERS considered it an imperative duty. The home of his foes was certainly no place for his wife. Ten minutes later he was seated in another taxi- cab, hurrying again through the drenching rain in the direction of Fifth Avenue. He had not even stopped to dress. As he had no intention of remain- ing at the house a moment longer than was neces- sary to see his wife and insist on her leaving, there was no necessity to change his attire. The chauf- feur having instructions to put on full speed, the machine took a short cut through Central Park, and it was not long before the destination was reached. Once more the Emerson home was ablaze with lights and an awning, stretched from the front door to the curb, afforded shelter from the weather to the arriving guests. The long string of waiting carriages threatened a tedious delay, so Darwin, un- able to curb his impatience, stopped his cab at the far corner and walked the rest of the distance. Incensed at his wife's inexcusable thoughtless- ness, the lawyer was under a high nervous tension. Running quickly up the steps, he entered the house, passing unobserved in the crush of people at the door, and made his way at once to the fumow, a 152 THE GAMBLERS fine, spacious room on the second floor, richly decorated in red leather, with hunting scenes in- serted in the paneled wainscoting. At the far end was a large buffet filled with decanters and glasses and cigars. People were passing in and out. Through a door leading to the ball room came the strains of dance music. In the distance was heard loud chatter and laughter. Several men, none of whom the district attorney knew, were in the smoking room, standing chat- ting in groups. Men servants were walking in and out with trays and glasses. Everybody looked up and stared in surprise as Darwin came in, conspic- uous in his plain business suit among the crowd in full dress. His manner was cold and defiant, and he held his hat and cane in hand, as if determined to make it plain to everyone that he would not stay a moment longer than was necessary. Thomas, the butler, came forward. "Kindly tell Mrs. Darwin that I am here," com- manded the district attorney haughtily. "Yes, sir. Mrs. Darwin arrived only a few mo- ments ago. She's in the ball room." "Give her my message at once." 153 THE GAMBLERS The butler was about to leave the room, when two men servants entered with a card table. Thomas stopped for a moment to give his subordinates in- structions. "Yes, that's right. Put the table there. The gen- tlemen are going to play cards." Darwin, almost beside himself with impatience and scarcely able to contain his growing irritation, interrupted testily : "Will you kindly deliver my message?" "Yes, sir, right away," replied the butler apolo- getically. With another glance at the card table to see if everything was all right, he hurried away. As he passed out Mr. Tooker, resplendent in claw ham- mer coat and a showy diamond solitaire in his wide expanse of shirt bosom, strolled leisurely in and joined the two men loitering at the buffet. "Hello, boys, what have you got to drink ? Hem I guess I'll take a little brandy. Make it a pony." "Playing the ponies, eh, what?" ventured one of the wits in the group, a dandy with a gardenia in his lapel. "How's the market, Mr. Tooker?" demanded 154 THE GAMBLERS another, a young foppish man who was anxious to have people think he dabbled in the Street. "Rotten!" growled Tooker, as he emptied his glass at a gulp. "Nice party this, eh, what?" said the first speaker. "Say, that Mrs. Darwin's a peach!" remarked another. Some of the men had glanced several times in the direction of the district attorney, who was im- patiently pacing the floor. No one knew who he was, and there was considerable curiosity as to what he could be doing there in a business suit. They whispered among themselves and laughed. Feeling that he was the object of their mirth, Dar- win turned and glared at them. "Who's your friend ?" demanded Tooker with a chuckle, nudging his neighbor and jerking his thumb in Darwin's direction. Just at that moment the butler returned. Going up to the district attorney, he said: "Mrs. Darwin will be here in just a moment, sir " "Is she getting her things on?" demanded Dar- win. 155 THE GAMBLERS "I think not, sir; she said she'd come down at the end of this dance." "With whom is she dancing?" "I don't know sir." "Mr. Wilbur Emerson?" suggested the lawyer. "I don't know, sir." The butler turned away to get the card table ready, and while he was engaged laying out the cards and arranging the chairs, John Emerson en- tered the smoking room. His glance at once fell on Darwin, who, angry and sullen, stood waiting in a corner. Surprised to see the attorney, the old gentleman advanced with extended hand. Cordially he exclaimed : "My dear Mr. Darwin, I'm so glad. Won't you join us in a little festive er dance or so? It's Isabel's birthday, and " "Thanks, I don't dance," said Darwin coldly. "Neither do I," smiled Mr. Emerson, "but I man- age to stumble through a square dance or two dur- ing the evening. Your wife is here." "Yes, I know," replied the lawyer coldly. "That is why I am here. I have come to take Mrs. Darwin away." 156 THE GAMBLERS "Take her away?" echoed Mr. Emerson in sur- prise. The lawyer tapped the floor nervously with his cane. Pointedly he said: "I think, Mr. Emerson, that any explanation, in fact, conversation of any sort between us is ex- tremely difficult, not to say impossible, under the circumstances." The old banker looked at his visitor with amaze- ment. He did not understand. What could he mean? He did not like mysteries. "Under what circumstances?" he demanded, ele- vating his eyebrows. "What are the circumstances, Mr. Darwin, that makes conversation between us impossible ?" The crowd at the buffet, seeing their host engage the queer stranger in apparently friendly chat, filed out of the room, followed by Tooker. The butler, dismissing the other servants, went out, shutting the door quietly behind him. "I prefer not to discuss the matter," said Dar- win, shrugging his shoulders. "I have come to take Mrs. Darwin home. Will you have the kind- ness to see that she knows I am here ?" 157 THE GAMBLERS Taken back for the moment by the lawyer's curt- ness of manner, the old banker looked at him in bewilderment. Then, with some show of feeling, he said: "I regret exceedingly, Mr. Darwin, that you I'm at a loss what to say. We have known Kath- ryn ever since she and Isabel were schoolgirls to- gether. Come, James, we used to be very good friends. Let me take a friend's privilege and beg an explanation. Isn't it something that can be put right with a few words?" "I prefer not to discuss the matter," replied Dar- win coldly. Mr. Emerson put out a protesting hand. "I'm an older man than you, James. For Kath- ryn's sake, for all our sakes, don't allow a simple misunderstanding to cut her off from her friends. Isabel and she are like sisters." "Yes," interrupted Darwin bitterly, "and your son Wilbur is like a brother. It's all very pretty and platonic, I've no doubt." The old man made an exclamation. Now he understood. "Ah, I see," he said, shaking his head; "some 158 THH GAMBLERS gossip, some silly rumor. Surely you won't con- demn him unheard? Wilbur is the very soul of honor. I'll stake my life on his integrity as a man. And Kathryn I won't believe that she " "Kindly leave Mrs. Darwin's name out of this affair," interrupted the lawyer curtly. "She has nothing to do with my determination to put an end to further communication with your family. It's something of a totally different character." Mr. Emerson looked at him keenly, as if trying to comprehend the real significance of his words. Slowly he said: "The nature of which you evidently seem anxious to acquaint me with." Seeing the futility of trying any further to ce- ment the breach, the old gentleman compressed his lips and drew himself up with dignity. Gravely he added: "Just as you please. I I ask your pardon." With a courteous bow the veteran banker walked out with dignity. He had hardly disappeared be- fore Kathryn entered the room. She was beauti- fully gowned, her cheeks were red and her eyes fairly sparkled with the exhilaration of the dance. THE GAMBLERS "Hello, James!" she cried as she caught sight of her husband. "Why did you come so early ? What did you say to Mr. Emerson? He was so upset that he said good-bye to me just now I told him I hadn't the slightest intention of going. What have you said to him?" "Kathryn," said the lawyer sternly, "I want you to come home at once." His wife looked at him in amazement. Could he be in his senses? Opening wide her large, fine eyes, she exclaimed: "You're not serious, are you? Why, I've only just arrived. I'm enjoying myself thoroughly. I can't go for at least an hour, so if you don't mind waiting " "I do mind," replied Darwin curtly. Holding out her engagement card, she cried: "Surely you don't expect me to break all these engagements ?" "I asked you not to come here to-night. You willfully disregarded my my " "Your orders?" she laughed. "My request," he said firmly; "and now you must take the consequences." 160 THE GAMBLERS "You gave me no reason/' she protested. "No explanation I didn't think you were in earnest." "The fact that it was my wish should be suf- ficient reason," he snapped. "Oh, nonsense, James!" He advanced angrily. His face was set and de- termined. "Kathryn, I " "Please drop that tragic expression," she replied with a laugh. "Why not stay yourself? There are lots of pretty girls here who would be simply charmed to dance with the famous prosecuting attorney. No, I'll dance ten numbers with you my- self, and God knows that is penance enough for hav- ing dared to disobey my lord and master's injunc- tion! Is that the right legal term? Oh, come, James, soften up come out of your shell !" "You don't take me seriously, eh?" exclaimed Darwin savagely. "That's your latest pose you refuse to take anything seriously." It was now her turn to get angry. Endeavoring, however, to restrain herself, she replied calmly: "I dare not ! Whether life is a tragedy or comedy to me depends on the way I look at it. I prefer 161 THE GAMBLERS comedy. That's why I chose to come here and revel in wifely disobedience rather than sit at home contemplating my virtuous, submissive self in lonely solitude !" He looked at her in silence, wondering how far her resistance would go, astounded at this unac- customed display of spirit. Doggedly he said : "Do you wish me to understand that you refuse to come home?" "Oh, let me stay, James," she pleaded. "It's impossible," he replied firmly. "I'll cancel all those engagements," she went on coaxingly, "every one of them, and dance through the whole list with you if you'll stay. Could any wife do more? Furthermore, I'll wear sackcloth and ashes for the remainder of the week, as extra penance." He shook his head, and seeing that she could not bend him, she went on bitterly: "No- adamant, eh? Stern, strong, unbending and un- yielding! Fine qualities for a statue, James, but not for a husband!" He winced under her irony. Shifting about un- easily on his feet he muttered : "You don't understand. In the light of recent 162 THE GAMBLERS events you must not be seen here among these peo- ple. It's not expedient. It's not- " She knew that he was prevaricating, that the pending prosecution was not the real reason. Quietly she said : "There are more than a hundred people here. Which particular person do you object to?" "All of them in general," he replied contempt- uously ; then quickly he added : "Your host, Wilbur Emerson in particular." "He is not my host," she cried. "This is his house. The Emersons, the Cowpers and others associated with him in business are here. I know the whole list; it reads like a bank- ers' convention. I I wish you to leave at once." "It will seem so strange," she murmured hesi- tatingly. Glancing at his watch he said quickly: "I've just time to leave you at the house." She looked up at him in surprise. "Then you are not coming home with me?" "No. I must go to Washington at midnight. In the meantime, I've an important conference to-night and one with the attorney general to-morrow. He's 163 THE GAMBLERS determined to enforce the law, and has retained me to help him. These people are to be rooted out exterminated made an example of. Of course, I need not tell you that it means political advance- ment if I succeed in convicting them perhaps the attorney-generalship. ' ' "So !" she cried scornfully, "must you always rise on the downfall of others?" Imploringly she went on: "James, these people are my friends your friends they have helped us in so many ways." "I have no friends," he interrupted icily. "Be- sides, whatever old Emerson did for me years ago has been double discounted by his son." "How?" she demanded. He held out his hand. With suppressed wrath he exclaimed: "Let me see your engagement card." Slowly she handed it to him, and carefully, delib- erately he read the initials scribbled on the card in pencil. Scoffingly he exclaimed : "W. E. W. E. W. E. and so on W. E. Wilbur Emerson. I think that's the answer, Kath- ryn!" "Mr Emerson is not here to-night," she protested 164 THE GAMBLERS quickly. "These are unfilled promises. Why, what nonsense! He is not sufficiently interested in me to even keep his engagements." Darwin looked at her searchingly. Quickly he retorted : "He was sufficiently interested to make them." "No," she answered carelessly, "that's his sister Isabel's writing. She only did it for fun; the man isn't even here." He shrugged his shoulders. Savagely he said: "It makes no matter. These people are malefac- tors criminals a menace to society." "I don't believe it !" she cried angrily. "You don't want to believe it," he replied coldly. "I" intend to show you that I am right." "Of course you are right," she retorted ironically. "Even if you were not, you have the horrible fac- ulty of being able to prove that I am wrong. That's the penalty I pay for being the wife of a clever law- yer. But, James, can't you let some one else under- take this investigation?" "No," he replied firmly. "For my sake," she persisted coaxingly, "do this one thing for my sake." 165 THE GAMBLERS He looked at her coldly. "What!" he exclaimed angrily; "give up an op- portunity like this the chance of a lifetime! See how little you care whether I succeed or fail ! You ought to be glad my chance has come at last, but you don't care; you've never really cared!" Kathryn turned her head away. Indifferently she answered : "Yes, once I cared, when I thought you were actuated by a genuine desire to help others by re- forming them. But in the present case you seem to think only of your own advancement." "And you you think only of him!" he retorted angrily. "James!" She was about to make an indignant protest when suddenly Isabel entered the room. Approaching her chum hurriedly she said reproachfully : "Kitty Kitty this won't do! We can't let you go like this. Oh, let her stay, Mr. Darwin don't be such a bear." Kathryn shook her head. "I must go. Good-bye,'* she said. "Is it as bad as that?" exclaimed Isabel. "And 1 66 THE GAMBLERS this is married life. Poor old Kate ! Oh, you men are monsters! I wouldn't marry the best of you." "Indeed," replied Darwin, mockingly. "No," exclaimed the girl spiritedly; "I'm an old maid and, please God, I intend to stay one till I meet the right man." Pleadingly she added : "Why don't you stay, Mr. Darwin? Impose penance on yourself and dance with me." The lawyer bowed and replied coldly : "Thank you, it's quite impossible." "My brother will be terribly disappointed," she exclaimed. "I've no doubt," replied the lawyer, with an iron- ical smile. "Please express to him my deepest re- grets." Turning to his wife he said : "Come, Kate, my appointment is at ten. My train goes at twelve." He bowed and went toward the door. Kathryn stood saying good-bye to Isabel. "Is this what you call making a stand?" said the latter. "I thought you were going to rebel openly." "I did," sighed Kathryn, "but it didn't quite work. I'm not going home because I'm afraid to displease him. I'm going because for your sake. 167 THE GAMBLERS He has threatened your father and brother with " Isabel opened wide her eyes. "Why, Kate, what do you mean?" she cried anx- iously. Darwin, already at the door, looked back im- patiently. "Hush! I'll tell you to-morrow. So glad your dance is such a huge success. Good-bye, dear." Walking straight out, she followed her husband downstairs. 168 CHAPTER XI ISABEL accompanied her friend downstairs and stood at the front door regretfully watching her depart. It was too absurd to have her go away like that ; the fun had only just begun. She was extremely fond of Kathryn, and it aroused her indignation to think that a husband could treat his wife with such little consideration. She was glad now that she had never married. People might make fun of her for being an old maid, but at least she was her own mistress. She was not shackled to a tyrant who could bully her and make her life mis- erable. However, the unpleasant incident must not be permitted to spoil the party. There were other friends whose amusements must be catered to. The cab rattled away, and she was about to re- enter the hall, when she noticed two men who were standing still, watching the house, on the other side of the avenue. At first she took them for chance passers-by, attracted by the lights and music, but 169 THE GAMBLERS their actions were so peculiar that she called the footman and drew his attention to them. "Yes, miss," said the man, touching his hat re- spectfully, "I seen them fellers loafing round here for the last hour or so. I don't know who they are. I thought perhaps they were waiting for some of the people in the house. Shall I go and ask them what they want, miss?" "No, never mind, Peters," said Isabel. "First I'll speak to my brother about it. He may know who they are." "Very good, miss." From the distance came the strains of sensuous, dreamy music. The orchestra had struck up an- other waltz. Returning indoors, Isabel ran quickly upstairs to look for her brother. Those strange men were certainly mysterious. Perhaps they were burglars. There had been a lot of robberies lately in the neighborhood. The house was full of silver and other valuables. The stories she had read in the papers had made her so horribly nervous that she actually dreaded night time coming. She was afraid to go about the house, fearing that a masked ruffian might spring at her from some dark corner. 170 THE GAMBLERS In the smoking room she found the butler stack- ing poker chips on the card table. "Is Mr. Wilbur home yet, Thomas?" she asked. "Yes, miss, a few moments ago. He's dressing.'* The man went on with his work of preparing for the poker game. The girl watched him stacking the ivory chips. Presently she said: "Are they going to play cards to-night?" "Yes, miss." A cloud crossed the girl's face. She did not like the idea of the men being closeted in the smoking room playing cards while she had the work of en- tertaining the ladies in the drawing room. In a disappointed tone she said: "Are you sure?" "Yes, miss." "How many will play ?" "My orders were to set for four, miss." As the servant spoke the door opened and Wil- bur entered the room. The financier's appearance suggested a hasty toilette. His dress coat was hardly on and his white cravat was awry. His face was pale, his manner nervous and flustered. "Hello, sis!" he said as he came in. "What's 171 THE GAMBLERS the good word? I'm late, eh? I was detained down-town." His sister pointed to the card table. Reproach- fully she said: "You're not going- to play cards to-night, are you?" The banker glanced quickly at the table. "Yes, we are," he said grimly. "But we women the dancing it will spoil everything," she protested. Having arranged the cards to his liking, the but- ler discreetly left the room. Wilbur went to the table and toyed nervously with the chips. "Very sorry, sis, but I promised the fellows to have this game. We'll call it off at supper time, and then we'll dance till daybreak. How does that suit you? Who's here?" Without waiting for her answer, he asked quickly: "Is she here?" "Who Kathryn? She was here and see what a good sister you've got I put you down for six dances on her card." He interrupted her quickly. "You say she was here ? Isn't she here still ?" "No; her husband came and took her away." 172 THE GAMBLERS "Took her away? What do you mean?" He stood staring at his sister in amazement, not understanding, thinking that she was jesting. "Took her away?" he repeated. "Yes," said Isabel. "I don't know why. He was very curt and rude, and appeared very angry. He was in this room not five minutes ago." The young banker turned pale and clutched at the table for support. "Ah! He was, eh?" he exclaimed hoarsely. Isabel, concerned, went up to him. "What's the matter, Wilbur?" she cried, alarmed. "Are you ill?" "No no it's nothing." Now he understood. It was clear enough. Mat- ters in the bank were approaching a crisis. The authorities were about to take action. James Dar- win, public prosecuting officer, did not care to have his wife accepting the hospitality of the Emerson family. It was clear as daylight. "I'm glad I didn't meet him," he said hastily. "So he took her away, eh? Did he say why?" "No. He made no explanations. His manner was peculiar." 173 THE, GAMBLERS Wilbur went to the door and opened it cautiously as if to make sure that no one was listening. Then, turning to his sister, his face set and drawn, he said in a low tone: "Well, I might as well tell you, sis. I suppose it will come out sooner or later, but whatever you hear, don't worry. Darwin's the man who's going to make the investigation of our banks. I'd rather it had been anyone else anyone. You know, Bella, I'm not afraid of any man any number of men. I've faced and fought them with every weapon from a jackknife to an army Colt struggled with them mentally and physically, and won out when the odds were against me. But this man Darwin affects me like a snake. I always want to put my foot on his head and crush him. He seems to gain the upper hand at every point, and now he has turned the Federal Government loose on us. When that man gets you in the witness chair he seems to be inspired. He has second sight, or something of the sort. It's positively uncanny he's a fiend at cross-examination; he knows just what he wants you to say, and, by God, he makes you say it. I saw him twist up poor old Johnson, the insurance 174 THE GAMBLERS millionaire, till he made him lie about himself. He's a machine an instrument of torture. His pose is that he hates money, but in reality he only hates the men who make money." Isabel nodded in sisterly sympathy. Slowly she said: "Kate leads a miserably unhappy life with him. There's not a particle of sympathy between them." "I know I know," he replied, pacing the floor nervously. Suddenly Isabel bethought herself of the two mysterious men. "Oh, by the bye, Wilbur, I forgot to tell you. When I went downstairs just now with Kate I no- ticed two men watching the house from across the way. Peters says they've been there for over an hour. Do you think they're burglars ought we to send for the police ?" The young man started nervously. Going quickly to the window he drew aside the curtain. When he turned round again his face was almost livid. "It isn't necessary to send for the police," he said hoarsely. "Those men are policemen they're 175 THE GAMBLERS detectives set on by that man Darwin to watch my every move. I didn't know he'd go as far as that." Isabel, alarmed, looked more closely at her brother. She didn't know what he meant. She had no knowledge of the bank's affairs. Something was wrong, that was evident. She remembered now that her brother's manner had been upset and nervous for several days. Anxiously she exclaimed : "Wilbur, you're hiding something from me something serious has happened!" "No, just a little technical interference from Washington, that's all." But Isabel was not convinced. "Please tell me, Wilbur," she entreated. "What in God's name made her marry such a man?" he cried fiercely, forgetting for the moment his greater trouble in sympathizing with the woman he had loved and lost. "Why didn't you marry her?" replied his sister. "I've never forgiven you for that, Wilbur." "I never knew till it was too late. A man fight- ing for success is a busy animal in these days, Bella. I won success, but I lost her. I'm afraid I have 176 THE GAMBLERS grasped the shadow of life and lost the substance." Laying a hand affectionately on his sister's shoul- der he added: "If anything happens, old girl, you and father are all right that's one comfort." "But Wilbur," she protested, "you must tell me what has happened." The young man was about to reply when the door leading from the ballroom opened and John Emer- son entered. The aged banker had a serious, wor- ried look on his face. Gossip he had just overheard gave startling corroboration to strange rumors which had reached his ears during the last few days, rumors that reflected on the credit and the solvency of the Emerson Bank. For the last year or so he had given little attention to the management. He had left everything to his son, and apparently the bank was never so prosperous. What, then, could these disquieting rumors mean? It was imperative that he have a talk with Wilbur at once. Turning to his daughter he said : "What the whole family here! We must have a representative upstairs. You run along and look after your guests." "Don't let him keep you here the whole evening, 177 THE GAMBLERS father; lots of young ladies are anxious to dance with you." "Am I as old as that?" laughed, the veteran banker. "No," laughed Isabel, "you're the youngest mem- ber of the family." She tripped out of the room, and Mr. Emerson turned to his son. Gravely he said: "What about these rumors, Wilbur we're solvent ?" "Solvent? Yes but " replied the young man. He hesitated for a moment, and then went on: "If the Federal Government will let us alone for a week three days we'll have a chain of fifteen banks instead of twelve enough to fight the big fellows and beat them at their own game." Mr. Emerson shook his head. Dubiously he said : "I confess I don't understand these modern finan- cial methods. I'm leaving the matter to you, my boy. I'm nominally 'the president, but you're the head, the moving spirit of the whole concern. I'm afraid I'm too old to follow the game as it is played in these days. Banking was a gentleman's occupation; now it's a fight in the dark." 178 THE GAMBLERS "Yes," answered Wilbur quietly, "and I have had to fight back also in the dark. Father, you are almost in total ignorance as to how matters stand with the bank to-day. You trusted implicitly to me, and I I've taken unfair advantage of you. The note you indorsed at my request was not used for exactly the purposes I outlined." "I trust you, my boy," said Mr. Emerson warmly. "Whatever you have done, you have done for the best. I know that." The young man averted his face. Hoarsely he went on: "But you don't know all! I borrowed our own funds, and the authorities have found it out!" Startled, the old banker looked keenly at his son. These damaging rumors were true, then. With emotion he exclaimed : "My God ! Boy, that's a prison offense!" "It will all be paid back," said Wilbur quickly, "every penny. We have the money." The banker looked at his son fixedly. Gravely he said : "Then pay it at once. It must never be said that an Emerson is a defaulter." 179 THE GAMBLERS "Yes, I would have done so to-day," explained Wilbur hurriedly, "but the Government experts took possession of the banks this afternoon just be- fore the closing hour. The notes on which we borrowed the money are still unpaid !" Stunned by the shock of this unexpected news, Mr. Emerson collapsed into a seat. This, then, was the fruit of the new bank policy! Ah, he blamed himself now for having been so weak as to yield to the importunities of his son and the other directors. If he had remained firm and retained the controlling hand, this misfortune, this disgrace, could not have come about. He did not know what to say, what to advise. All he could do was to murmur feebly: "My son, my son, this is terrible!" Wilbur placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Reassuringly he said: "Don't worry, father. It'll come out all right; you'll see. I've got " His words were interrupted by the entrance of Tooker and Raymond, who came in, followed by the butler. Wilbur greeted them. "Ah, Tooker Raymond how are you?" 1 80 THE GAMBLERS Tooker approached Mr. Emerson. Patting him on the back with offensive familiarity, he said: "Good evening, Mr. Emerson ; I didn't know you played cards." "He doesn't," interrupted Wilbur quickly, "and he is not going to play to-night." Mr. Emerson looked slowly from one to the other, trying to gauge the significance of their words. What did it mean, this poker game played by directors of a bank at such an inopportune mo- ment, at a time not only when the bank was under the fire of criticism, but when the other guests were already wondering at their absence ? This evidently was no ordinary poker game. These men were about to play for other stakes than money. As head of the bank it was his duty to remain and take part. Firmly, decisively, he asserted himself. With quiet dignity he said : "Yes, you gentlemen are directors and stockhold- ers in the bank of which I am president, and I I shall take a hand in the game." "This is no time for games," growled Raymond, chewing viciously at his cigar. "Rumors are spread- ing thick and fast about us all over town." 181 THE GAMBLERS "Just the time for a little friendly game," inter- rupted Wilbur nervously. "Never let your enemies see you're too worried to enjoy yourself." "Enemies can't see us here," grinned Tooker. Wilbur approached his fellow director quickly. In an undertone so that his father might not hear, he said: "They can, and they do; the searchlight of in- vestigation is turned on us, and every movement we make is watched." Tooker shrugged his shoulders and, taking a seat at the card table, beckoned to the butler. "Shall we sit down?" he said. "Might as well begin. Thomas, bring me some soda and whisky." While the servant went to get the refreshments asked for, Wilbur turned to Raymond. "Where's Cowper? Have you seen him to-day?" Raymond shook his head. "No, I haven't seen him." "He was at our Fifth Avenue branch early this morning," volunteered Tooker. Wilbur paced the floor nervously. Hesitatingly, he said : "I don't know why, but I'm afraid of Cowper." 182 THE GAMBLERS "Afraid of him? How?" demanded Mr. Em- erson. "He's been acting queerly these last few days," explained Wilbur. "I don't think he's quite one of us. I'm not sure that he can stand the gaff." "What's he done?" demanded Raymond. "I don't know," said Wilbur. "It's just a a feeling, that's all." "Oh, George is all right!' exclaimed Raymond pompously. Tooker, a born gambler, ready to stake anything, risk anything in a game of chance, was becoming impatient at the delay. "Can't we begin without him?" he asked. "Not very well," replied Wilbur. "We are all interested, and " "A little less soda, Thomas," protested Tooker, "and a trifle more alcohol. I'm too fat as it is, and one pint of mineral slops does more to tighten a fat man's vest than a gallon of whisky." "It may tighten his vest," retorted Raymond, 'but it doesn't loosen his tongue. Vichy for me." "I see," grinned Tooker. "You take your poison straight. I like a little antidote in mine. Don't 183 THE GAMBLERS forget the Scotch, Thomas." Starting to count his chips, he added: "Well, are we going to wait for him?" The butler went to draw the blinds. "We must," said Wilbur. Quickly he called back to the butler: "Don't pull that blind down, Thomas." "Why not?" demanded Raymond. Wilbur bent over so the butler could not hear. In a low tone he said: "Because we're watched " "Watched!" exclaimed Mr. Emerson. Wilbur nodded. "There have been two Secret Service men over there all day." "Secret Service men Government agents!" ex- claimed the old gentleman in dismay. "What does this mean, Emerson?" asked Ray- mond. "I'll explain when Cowper comes," said Wilbur evasively. "In the meantime," he added, with a feeble attempt at jocularity, "let. us eat, drink and be merry." Raymond called the butler. 184 THE GAMBLERS "You'd better bring me a little Clysmic er no White Rock er no make it Apollinaris." "Don't get reckless and mix those drinks," growled Tooker. "Clysmic White Rock and Apollinaris Gee! what a pousse-cafe." "Is it your intention to be personal, sir?" ex- claimed Raymond angrily. "Personal?" chuckled Tooker. "Why, I regard the ostentatious way in which you have been order- ing those drinks as a subtle sneer at my weakness for high-balls." He slapped his fellow director on the back and laughed. Then, seriously, he added : "I'm only talking to keep up my courage. God Almighty! If half what I hear is true, I'm scared to death. Come on, Emerson, let us hear the worst." "Yes," exclaimed Raymond, impatiently. "Can't you tell us? Why keep us on the griddle?" Everybody looked at Wilbur. It was plainly his duty not to keep them in suspense. But the young banker maintained an obstinate and dogged silence. It was impossible to guess, from the expression of his face, if the danger was real and imminent, or if there was still a possibility of matters being adjusted 185 THE GAMBLERS without publicity and scandal. The true gambler schools himself never to betray his hand. No mat- ter how the cards are going, no matter if he has just drawn a card which means ruin complete and irrevocable, his face must remain calm and in- scrutable. With a gesture of his hand, Wilbur pointed to the table and took his seat. On his right was his father, next came Raymond. Tooker sat on his left, with an empty chair beyond for Cowper. Picking up the chips, he gave each man a stack. Then, deliberately, impressively, he took the new deck of cards in his hand. The game was about to begin. Suddenly the door opened, and Cowper hur- riedly entered, nervous and haggard looking. 186 CHAPTER XII COWPER advanced into the room, and with a sort of quick, lurching gait, slid into the seat left vacant at the table. Fingering his chips nervously and without looking up, he said awkwardly : "I beg your pardon. I hope I haven't kept the game waiting. Good evening, Mr. Emerson." Still avoiding Wilbur's gaze, which was steadily fixed upon his face, the newcomer shook hands with Mr. Emerson, Sr. looker put down his glass. With a growl he said: "Wilbur wouldn't start the game till you came. Can't you ever be on time?" "I'm very sorry," said Cowper hastily. "Impor- tant business downtown detained me till nearly nine o'clock. I'm really very sorry. Is this my place?" Wilbur, who, while shuffling the cards, still fixed the newcomer with a persistent stare, nodded. 187 THE GAMBLERS "Yes, that's your place, Cowper." Turning to the butler he said in a low tone: "Thomas, you can pull down the blinds and go." The man pulled down the blinds and went out, closing the door behind him. Raymond lit another Jiuge cigar. Throwing away the match, he growled : "Well, now we're all here, let's go ahead. To keep up the pleasant fiction, what game are we playing?" "Yes; what are we playing for?" chimed in Tooker. All looked at Wilbur. They knew that the sit- uation was desperate, and that this make-believe of a game of cards was only to mask a secret directors' meeting. Wilbur's face was set and determined. His associates must know the truth. There was nothing to hold back. Slowly and gravely he said : "Our liberty! That's what we are playing for. Gentlemen, the hand of the Federal Government is upon us. We've gambled and we've lost. Un- less we can delay the Federal experts' examination for twenty- four hours by that time I expect to have sufficient money to buy up my father's notes " 1 88 THE GAMBLERS "Why not mine, and Tooker's, and your own?" interrupted Raymond. "Oh, let him go on," exclaimed Tooker. "My father," explained Wilbur, hastily, "did not know what use we were going to make of his in- dorsements." "I told you," growled Raymond, "that borrow- ing over and above our capital, on our own notes, was a dangerous proceeding damn dangerous I always " "Could we get it elsewhere?" interrupted Wilbur hotly. "God knows Wilbur tried hard enough!" said Mr. Emerson. "I certainly did," exclaimed Tooker. "And I," said Cowper hesitatingly. Raymond shrugged his shoulders and, jamming his cigar into the corner of his mouth, grunted with an injured air: "I was against branching out from the start." "Oh, bosh!" retorted Tooker; "you're over twenty-one. You went in with your eyes open." Wilbur raised his hand. 189 THE GAMBLERS "Gentlemen, please, no bickering. That's all a question of the past. We're dealing with the pres- ent and the future. The point I want to make is that we five men have broken the law. The big financial crowd that controls everything has urged the Government to take steps against us and, as matters stand a long term in prison stares us in the face, unless a miracle happens." "Miracles don't happen," growled Raymond. "Never did," chuckled Tooker, "except in the good book." "Miracles do happen," insisted Wilbur firmly. "I shall have sufficient money to-morrow morning to buy up those notes." His father looked at him in amazement. "How is that possible, my boy?" he exclaimed. "The notes are in the vaults, and if the Govern- ment experts are in possession " Wilbur shook his head. Grimly he said : "No, I took the notes out of the vaults late this afternoon, before they closed up." "Thank God for that !" exclaimed Raymond, with a sigh of relief. "Where are they?" demanded Tooker. 190 THE GAMBLERS Putting his hand over his coat inside pocket, Wil- bur said : "Here." Continuing, he said: "Without these notes there will not be sufficient evidence against us. Our institution may go under, but the crim- inal proceedings will fall through." "Let me see the notes," said Raymond. Mr. Emerson rose, trembling from emotion. Shaking his head, he said with feeling: "Gentlemen, I feel this very keenly. This dis- grace is hard for me to bear. I left everything to you. I don't know what to advise." "That's all right, dad," interrupted Wilbur, put- ting his arm affectionately round his father's shoul- der. "We'll take the responsibility, eh, Tooker and you, Raymond Cowper you're all pledged to protect him, no matter what comes, eh?" "I shall return every penny of profit I have ever made," went on the old man. "Let that be under- stood." "We won't discuss that now," said Wilbur hur- riedly. Raymond chewed his cigar in wrathful silence. Suddenly he blurted out: 191 THE GAMBLERS "Nice scrape, this! You know I trusted you, Wilbur I thought you knew what you were doing." Wilbur looked him straight in the face. With quiet dignity he said : "And I'm going to prove worthy of that trust. I'd rather go to prison for ten years than have any of you suffer through me. I acknowledge my guilt. All around me men were massing up mil- lions, and were using those millions to drive us and other small concerns to the wall. Didn't they keep us out of the Clearing House? I saw a chance to put ourselves in a position to protect our- selves. I submitted this idea to you and you all took chances. You were hot for it, Cowper, and so were you, Raymond you all were all ex- cept my father. He didn't realize he didn't even know what the move was and by God he shan't suffer! If I can help it, none of you shall suffer." Mr. Emerson grasped his son's hand. Kindly he said: "I'm not reproaching you, Wilbur I'm only bewildered the magnitude of the whole scheme, as 192 THE GAMBLERS you outlined it, dazzled me but I confess I didn't understand it." "The records of those notes what of them?" asked looker. Wilbur gave a smile of satisfaction. "Other names have been substituted. Boys, I took no measures. They'll never be able to trace them take them home and destroy them." Taking from his pocket a long, blue envelope he threw it on the table. Exultingly he cried : "Now, Mr. Darwin, let's see who'll win this fight!" "Darwin?" exclaimed Raymond; "what has he to do with it ?" "The attorney general has turned the case over to him," said Wilbur quickly. "The devil!" exclaimed Raymond. "Them's my sentiments to a dot!" chimed in Tooker. Opening the envelope, Raymond picked out the note signed with his name. As he glanced at it something in its appearance caused him to inspect it closer. With an exclamation of surprise, he ejac- ulated : 193 THE GAMBLERS "This isn't the note I signed, and that isn't my signature. Mr. Emerson, is that yours? Wilbur, what's the meaning of this?" Wilbur started from his seat and snatched up the notes. "What's that !" he exclaimed. "I didn't examine them closely. They were in the usual place in the vaults." With a gesture of dismay, he cried : "My God, they are only copies!" For a moment there followed a dead silence as each man hastily examined the paper bearing his name. The quiet was so intense one could have heard a pin drop. Then, all at once, there went up a general chorus of dismay. Wilbur, utterly crushed by this new blow, sank back in his seat. "Where are the originals?" he exclaimed. "Who can have taken them ?" Examining the note closely he went on: "The handwriting on these copies is very familiar very familiar " Looking at Cowper suspiciously, he added: "Do you rec- ognize it, Mr. Cowper?" The director shuffled uneasily with his feet. "No why why should I?" he said evasively. Wilbur looked steadily at him, trying to read the 194 THE GAMBLERS truth in the drawn, haggard face of the director, many of whose actions recently needed explaining. For some days he had suspected that Cowper was not all he pretended to be. He had never liked the man. His college record was bad. Once give a dog a bad name, it not only sticks to him, but seems to mould his character. There was nothing honorable or wholesome about Cowper. He was underhanded and tricky. He was a man who would not hesitate to sacrifice his nearest and dearest, if only he was able to save his own skin. His inability to raise a loan, his mysterious visits downtown, his many questions regarding the bank's affairs, all this had aroused suspicion in Wilbur's mind that, per- haps, he had gone over to the enemy. Still fixing Cowper with his steady gaze, he said pointedly : "This is some of Darwin's work. I know his methods. He has found the weak spot in our ar- mor. They've secured the originals and substituted these copies, eh, Cowper?" "I it looks like it I suppose so," stammered Cowper, trying to appear unconcerned. "It is so," said Wilbur decisively; "I'm convinced of it." 195 THE GAMBLERS "It certainly looks as if your move has been an- ticipated," said Cowper. "Yes," said Wilbur pointedly. "Some one has betrayed us!" The other men smoked on in silence, each tax- ing his brain to find some solution to the mystery. Wilbur, meantime, never took his eyes from Cowper. "If you had only taken my advice!" whined Raymond; "if you'd only have listened to me, you'd have given the matter more thought if " "If if if " growled Tooker. "What's the good of that kind of talk, Ray- mond?" exclaimed Wilbur impatiently. "We're in a hole. There's no use figuring how we got in. The question is: How are we to get out?" "That's it," chuckled Tooker. "Where do we. get off?" "My notes are there, too, are they not?" asked Mr. Emerson quickly. "Yes," said Wilbur in a low tone, "that's the worst part of it." "It's too bad, Mr. Emerson," said Tooker, with a feeble attempt at sympathy. 196 THE GAMBLERS "After all," said the old banker with a smile, "I don't see that I'm in any worse position than the rest of you." "No," interrupted Wilbur quickly, "but your case is different. These men are speculators, like myself. They knew the chances they were taking you didn't." "Neither did I," exclaimed Raymond. "That is not not thoroughly " "Oh, stuff!" retorted Tooker rudely. Mr. Emerson held up his hand. "The fault is my own, gentlemen," he said with dignity. 'Please don't allow my individual mis- fortune to add to yours. Let each man pay for his own folly at the current market price." "No," exclaimed Wilbur. "Some of us may yet escape. I have thought out a way. Why should five of us go to prison? I see a way out of it for four of us. Let one of us assume the entire respon- sibility. All the Government asks is a victim. The politicians at Washington will be satisfied if they can show reformers, informers and muckrakers that they do send a rich man to prison now and then. Let one take the responsibility and save the others." 197 THE GAMBLERS "Yes, but how ?" demanded Raymond, cautiously, afraid to approve any plan that might imperil him- self. "It's a gamble, and I'm on!" grinned Tooker. "Well, which one is is the best qualified?" "They'd never believe that I " said Raymond quickly. "We'll draw lots," suggested Tooker. "Anything you say," said Wilbur. "The lowest card in the pack," suggested Ray- mond. "The first Jack," cried Tooker. "Come, what shall it be?" inquired Wilbur im- patiently. "It makes no difference," said Tooker. "How can it be done?" objected Raymond; "in- vestigation will show that all of us are equally re- sponsible." Quickly Wilbur interrupted: "Not if I " He stopped short and more quietly he added: "But we'll decide that after- wards. Come, do you agree, Tooker?" "I'll take a chance," replied the director, with a wry face. 198 THE GAMBLERS "Raymond ?" "Yes," he drawled slowly. More quickly he added : "But I don't want to be the victim." "Neither do I," said Tooker, "but if I lose I'll I'll make good life's a gamble, anyhow." "Cowper?" called out Wilbur. Cowper nodded assent. "I agree," said Mr. Emerson quietly. "Go ahead," growled Tooker; "the first Jack deals I mean loses " "The first Jack," said Wilbur firmly. "Is that understood? The man who gets it will assume sole responsibility." i QQ CHAPTER XIII THE nervous tension grew more acute every moment. In the air was a sense of im- pending danger that sobered everyone. Even the irrepressible looker was impressed by the solemnity of the proceedings, while Raymond sat motionless, a comical picture of abject cow- ardice. Cowper sat apart, his eyes .averted. Mr. Emerson, patient and resigned, waited to know his fate. Wilbur, his face set and determined, alone real- ized the true significance of this dramatic situation. He was fighting now, not to save himself, but to save his father. Some one must bear the blame, some one must take the punishment that was very evident. These men Tooker, Raymond, Cowper, were all cowards. He could expect little help from them. They had been willing to divide the profits, but when it came to sharing the risks they were less enthusiastic. Yet, after all, he could not blame anybody but himself. He had been the leader in the reorganization ; he must pay the price. But his 200 THE GAMBLERS father must be spared at all costs. Grimly he said : "Shuffle the cards, looker." The director picked up the deck and began to shuffle carefully. All watched him in breathless silence. When he had mixed the cards thoroughly, Wilbur made a gesture and said, in a low tone : "Deal them." Tooker looked tip, a comical expression on his face. The fear that he might deal himself the fatal card was so apparent that, under any other circum- stances, every one would have laughed outright. But each man was too much absorbed in his own troubles to take notice. Tooker started to give cards, then stopped and laid the pack down. With a forced laugh he said: "Gee, my hands are trembling! Damned if I don't think I'm nervous! Here, you deal them!" Quickly Wilbur picked up the deck and, ignor- ing his father, swiftly dealt four cards, face up- wards. "Eight, four, queen, nine!" cried Raymond, as the cards were turned over. "One moment!" interrupted Mr. Emersom, put- 201 THE GAMBLERS ting out his hand in protest. "Where's my card, Wilbur?" "You're not in this game, father," said Wilbur. "I beg your pardon," persisted the old man, "I am one of you!" Wilbur shook his head decisively. "No, no; we can't allow it." "But I insist," said Mr. Emerson firmly. "I have shared the profits. I will share the losses. At least, I shall preserve my self-respect. A card, please." Wilbur hesitated. "But " "I insist," repeated Mr. Emerson. "To leave me out would be an injustice to the others and an in- sult to me." Wilbur hastily gathered up the cards and passed them to Tooker. Quickly he said : "You deal them, Tooker." With a grimace, the director took the pack and slowly, deliberately began to give a card to each man, starting with himself. As he faced each card, amid the breathless suspense of the others, he an- nounced loudly: 202 THE GAMBLERS "Tooker, deuce; Cowper, king; Raymond, four " He stopped and gave vent to a sigh of relief. Neither himself, nor Cowper, nor Raymond was the victim. With a complacent chuckle he ex- claimed: "Where are all the Jacks?" Dealing more quickly he uncovered two more. "Mr. Em- erson, Jack; Wilbur, ten " "My God!" exclaimed Raymond in a low tone. "Mr. Emerson has got it Jack of spades!" Wilbur sprang to his feet and grabbed his fa- ther's card before the old banker saw it. With af- fected anger, he exclaimed: "What's the matter with you, Tooker? Don't you know how to deal straight? That's my card! Can't you deal one at a time?" Throwing down the ten of hearts, he added : "That's his card ten of hearts." "Nonsense!" protested Raymond. "It was all right." "It was not all right," retorted Wilbur. "Do you suppose I don't know what I'm saying?" Throw- ing the cards on the floor, he cried: "The game is closed !" 203 THE GAMBLERS Going to the sideboard, so that his associates might not see how white his face had suddenly turned, he poured out a glass of sherry with trem- bling hand. He was the victim. Well, what of it? That was only right. He had got the bank into all this trouble. It was only just that he pay the price. But who among them had played the traitor? Who had abstracted the genuine notes and substituted false ones? What had become of the genuine notes the only tangible evidence against them ? Only one could have done the dirty trick, only one was capable of acting this despicable role of Judas, and that was Cowper. His actions, his look, his manner, betrayed him. He was the guilty one. For a few moments Wilbur stood silently apart, thinking what to do. How could he handle the cur accuse him to his face, force him to admit his guilt, make him confess what he had done with the notes? Yes, that he could do, but he must await his opportunity. He must get him alone, in a cor- ner, or he might escape. Raising the glass of wine to his lips, his eyes still fixed on Cowper's face, he cried with forced carelessness: 204 THE GAMBLERS "The medicine is mine, boys! Now, let's talk about something else for a few minutes. Mr. Tooker, I apologize for my disrespectful attitude just now, but I look on myself as a sort of an expert at cards, and I'm stupidly sensitive about it cheap vanity on my part. Have a drink, old man?" "That's all right, Wilbur," said Raymond, deeply moved. The man was not so hardened, not so utterly egotistical as not to be touched by this devo- tion, this self-sacrifice of a son to protect his father. "Say when," laughed Wilbur, filling his glass. "I don't drink spirits," said Raymond, "but I think I will take one now to settle my nerves. What will you have, Tooker?" "Nothing yes a little White Rock." "Good God!" exclaimed Raymond, in mock despair. "What's happened to you? Such an or- der is unheard of." "I want to keep my head clear," growled Tooker. "I'm sorry, old man." "What will you have, Cowper?" said Wilbur carelessly. Holding out a glass, he added : "Come, I want you all to drink to my my success " 205 THE GAMBLERS Cowper advanced, white and trembling. Hoarsely he said: "A little rye straight." Nervously he snatched the glass handed to him and swallowed it at a gulp. Wilbur turned to the others. Quietly he said: "Now, I want to be alone, boys; I must think this out. Nine o'clock to-morrow morning we will meet here to discuss what course to pursue. By that time I shall have hit on a plan that will fix the entire responsibility on one person." Mr. Emerson turned to his son. With consider- able feeling he said: "Wilbur, my boy, I I feel that I am shirking my duty." "Nonsense, dad. Everything will be all right," said Wilbur quickly. "If I only had the notes we endorsed, it would be an easy matter." While he was speaking, Cowper quickly left his seat and glided noiselessly in the direction of the door. Wilbur saw him and stopped him with a gesture. "Oh, don't go, Cowper, old man ; I want to speak to you." 206 THE GAMBLERS Cowper halted, nervous and ill at ease. "I have an engagement," he stammered. "I won't keep you a moment," said Wilbur firmly, looker shook Wilbur's hand. With an attempt at sympathy he said : "I'm sorry it's you, but I'm glad it's not me." "It was your own idea," sniffed Raymond. "Really," protested Mr. Emerson. "I can't bring myself to approve of this " "Come, come, gentlemen!" exclaimed Wilbur, "the fortune of war. Don't worry about me, please. Good night, Mr. Tooker; don't forget nine o'clock sharp. Good night, Mr. Raymond." "Good night," said the directors. Tooker turned round at the door. Gripping Wil- bur's hand warmly he said with feeling: "Good night, old man; say, that was no mis- deal. I saw what you did. You're a noble fel- low " Wilbur grasped his father's hand. "Dad, will you tell Isabel I shan't see her again to-night ? Make any excuse, and good night. You can go to sleep knowing that everything will be all right." 207 THE GAMBLERS Mr. Emerson shook his head. Sadly he said: "No, my boy, I shan't sleep until I know that you're all right." "Good night," said Wilbur cheerily. The old banker silently pressed his son's hand and left the room. Cowper, who was standing by, impatiently waiting his opportunity to get away, tried to follow, but before he could make a move Wilbur had closed the door and locked it. "Really, Wilbur, old man," he protested, "I must be going." Wilbur merely looked at him. "No not yet, George," he said slowly. "Sit down a minute. I want to talk to you." Scenting trouble, the director tried to bluff it out. "Why did you lock that door?" he demanded. "1 don't want to be interrupted, that's why," re- joined Wilbur curtly. "Can't I see you in the morning?" said Cowper, still edging nervously towards the exit. "Yes, but I've one or two questions I want to ask you to-night." "Well, please be brief." Wilbur looked at him closely. 208 THE GAMBLERS "I'll be as brief as possible, George." There was a pause, during which neither man spoke. Each stood looking at the other. Finally Wilbur said: "George, do you love your mother?" Cowper looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?" he demanded. "Silly question, isn't it?" said Wilbur. "Every- one loves his mother. Well, mine died when I was a boy, and John Emerson took her place in my heart. I love him like a mother and a father rolled into one. You see what kind of a man he is never murmurs when he found that his faith in me had resulted in his being threatened with prison. I'd go to hell for him, George Cowper and I'll send the man there that betrayed him!" Cowper averted his face. Nervously he said: "I quite approve of your attitude, but what has that to do with me?" Wilbur advanced until he looked him straight in the face. "To-morrow," he continued, "those notes would have been redeemed. I have the money every dol- lar. I begged on my knees from one end of Wall 209 THE GAMBLERS Street to the other. I groveled in the mud till I got it, but I got it and the victory was won but now now can't you supply the rest?" "I ?" stammered Cowper, quailing before the coming storm. Wilbur's eyes flashed with mingled rage and scorn as he cried : "A traitor, a damned traitor, has robbed us of the chance of redeeming ourselves!" Suddenly changing his tone, he said contemptuously : "What was the price, George? Come be a man own up. What was the price?" Cowper rose from his seat. "I've had enough of this," he said with affected anger. "What was the price?" repeated Wilbur, his face white with rage. "I want to know, George, and you can't leave this room till I do!" Advancing, his fist raised, he looked as though he would strike the wretched man to the floor. Cowper cowered before him and instinctively put his hand on his hip pocket. "Don't touch me!" he cried threateningly. "I warn you I'm armed and I shall defend myself " 210 THE GAMBLERS "Oh, so you carry a gun, eh?" said Wilbur scornfully. "I certainly do," said Cowper, "and " "Well, I don't," cried Wilbur, "and I don't ap- prove of it in others." With a sudden, quick movement he seized the di- rector round the body and pinned his arms close to his sides. Then, still holding him in a vise-like grip, he slipped a hand in his pocket and drew out a revolver. Pointing the dangerous, glittering weapon at its late owner, he said grimly : "A bad habit, this, George. It gives a man a false sense of honor." "What!'' gasped Cowper, terror-stricken. "You mean you'll use it?" "Why not ?" was the deliberate reply. "It's your property. You'll be held responsible if anybody's injured. Come where are those notes? What have you done with them?" Cowper, in despair, crouched lower on the chair. In agonized voice he muttered : "I swear I haven't got them." "What did you do with them?" demanded Wil- bur sternly. 211 THE GAMBLERS "Oh, Wilbur," pleaded the wretched man, "don't be angry don't I couldn't help it I Emerson, I give you my word I wouldn't have done it if " With a gesture of contempt, Wilbur threw the revolver on the table. "Here," he said, "stick that in your pocket. Tell me about it and mind you, George, one lie and I'll take that pistol away from you again and use it. Out with it now !" Utterly cowed, on the verge of collapse from ab- ject fear and humiliation, the man stammered in broken sentences: "I was promised my freedom if I turned State's evidence they kept at me till I promised to help to. them." Growing more and more hysterical, he went on: "The fear the fear of this investiga- tion has been hanging over me like a pall it dead- ened my sense of what I owe my partners. You know, I'm engaged to be married, and and I'm very fond of Gladys. She she loves me, and I " he stopped and burst into tears, sobbing. "She has no idea what I've done. We're going to be married next month " Wilbur's face relaxed. Much as he despised the 212 THE GAMBLERS man who had not hesitated to sell his companions, he was willing to concede that perhaps he had been a bit harsh. The fellow seemed sorry and contrite enough. We can all make mistakes, he thought to himself. Besides, in this case there was a reason. He was going to be married. He wanted to shield the girl he loved. Ah, he could sympathize with him there. What would he himself not have done for the girl he loved ? More gently he said : "Is that so? Going to be married, eh?" Cowper completely broke down. "Never mind, old man, don't give way I understand you thought of her I suppose and not of us. Well, some men are built that way I don't think you'd have done it if you had real- ized " "I wouldn't I wouldn't," said Cowper fervently. "God's truth, I wouldn't." "All right, old man," said Wilbur more kindly "I'm sorry I was brutal, but just tell me what happened? Let me know what we're up against. Give us a chance, too." "Yes, I will," said Cowper eagerly, glad to be given any opportunity to redeem himself. 213 THE GAMBLERS "Who made the deal with you?" demanded Wilbur. "One of Mr. Darwin's agents." "Yes," said Wilbur bitterly, "that's the way he works strikes at the weakest link in the chain. Have you seen Darwin personally?" "Yes once." "When did you give him the notes ?" "I was to see him this evening at his house, but he was out. I left them there for him with my with what he asked me for." "Oh, something besides the notes ? What was it ?" "I've said enough I've told you." "I want to know all," insisted Wilbur. "A statement an affidavit giving a detailed account of all the most important transactions." "Did that detailed account involve my father?" demanded Wilbur quickly. Cowper hesitated. "Come," said Wilbur impatiently. "I want to know the worst." Cowper bowed his head. "Yes oh, I'm so sorry so sorry!" "Oh, God!" cried Wilbur in agony. 214 THE GAMBLERS Pacing the floor, he clasped his hands in mute despair. "Cowper, why did you do it? I could have for- given you the other, but that that's infamous! Didn't you know that father left everything with me? Couldn't you have spared him?" "I wish to God I had!" cried Cowper. "I shall never be happy again. It's too late now I didn't realize I thought that Mr. Emerson, being an old friend of Mr. Darwin's, would not be brought prominently into the case." "You don't know Darwin," answered Wilbur bit- terly. "He'll make political capital out of it. He'll say in his magazine articles: 'I don't spare my own dearest friends when they sin against the State. That's the kind of righteousness this coun- try needs statesmen upright and holy, like me!' Oh! I'd have given my right hand if you hadn't done that." "I wish I hadn't I wish I hadn't!" cried the wretched man. Utterly baffled, at a loss to know what to do to save the situation, Wilbur relapsed into silence. He was thinking hard. For a few moments neither 215 THH GAMBLERS man stirred. Perhaps something might yet be done. If so, it must be done quickly. Those notes must be recovered at any price. Turning sud- denly on Cowper, he asked hastily : "What time did you leave it there?" "About eight o'clock to-night. The servant told me he had gone or was going to Washington; that he was not expected home till to-morrow." "Not expected till to-morrow?" cried Wilbur. "Then he hasn't received it." Eagerly he went on : "George, do you think you could get it back? Couldn't you make some excuse to go there and ask for it? It's up to you to put this thing right!" Cowper shook his head and looked helplessly at his interlocutor. "How can I how ? Suppose ?' ' Wilbur looked at him for a moment in silence. Then slowly he said : "No, you're not the kind of man to do that sort of thing." Then suddenly he went on: "Couldn't I Cowper couldn't I on some pretext or other get that sworn statement? I can assume the re- sponsibility for the notes myself. What sort of a package is it? I may be asked to describe it " 216 THE GAMBLERS "It's a blue envelope, ordinary legal-size." "To whom did you give it?" "A servant a woman. She put it on his desk in the library." "In the library!" exclaimed Wilbur eagerly. Looking at his watch, he went on : "It's now eleven o'clock. Cowper, can I trust you? Will you re- main silent?" "Yes oh, you can believe me!" "Very well. Then remain here till I come back." "Yes. What are you going to do?" Picking the revolver up from the table, Wilbur slipped it in his pocket. Determinedly he said: "I'm going to get that sworn statement either that, or " "Or what?" cried Cowper. "How can I tell?" replied Wilbur, with a signif- icant shrug of his shoulders. Opening the door leading to the stairs, he took a long automobile duster and cap from a hook, and hastily put them on. "Are you going there now?" demanded Cowper, awed by the very audacity of the project. "Right now," rejoined Wilbur calmly, as he put 217 THE GAMBLERS on his coat. "You go back and join the others. If I'm missed, make some excuse. Say anything. I'll get those notes or " "Or what?" repeated Cowper. "I don't know," answered Wilbur. The next minute he was gone. 218 CHAPTER XIV RIVERSIDE DRIVE this wild, tempestuous night was entirely deserted. Not a pedes- trian, not even a solitary vehicle was to be seen. The westerly storm, which had been bois- terous all day, had increased in violence until now it blew with the force of a half gale. The rain was coming down in sheets, and the wind, sweeping across the broad Hudson, where it had an unob- structed path, burst on the handsome residences facing the Drive with all the fury of a cyclone, rat- tling the window sashes and moaning dismally down the chimneys. The Darwin home, situated at the corner and so particularly exposed to the weather, caught the full brunt of the hurricane. The house fairly shook before the successive blasts. and the din made by the angry elements was so unnerving that the in- mates had been intimidated from going to bed. Eleven o'clock, Kathryn's usual retiring hour, had struck long ago, yet she was still up. The storm 219 THE GAMBLERS had made her nervous, and instead of retiring to her boudoir, as was her custom, she sat in the big bay window of the library watching the downpour. The avenue, flooded by the deluge and strewn with branches torn from the trees by the tempest's fury, looked like a howling wilderness. The weather had driven every one indoors. Not a voice, not a sound was heard to relieve the stillness nothing but the monotonous drip, drip of water and the mournful shrieking of the wind. Mr. Darwin had left for Washington an hour before, and Kathryn was all alone in that big house, with one maid. She wished she could shake off that feeling of nervousness, but it was impossible. Of course, urgent business had taken her husband away, but she could not help nourishing a feeling of resentment that he should leave her thus unpro- tected. There had been a great many burglaries lately. Suppose the house had been watched and it was known that she was alone! She was glad when, every now and then, she caught sight of a solitary policeman trudging along on his beat, bent almost double as he forced his way against the wind. It made her feel more comfortable. Of 220 THE GAMBLERS course, it was silly to be nervous. Had she not the telephone with which to summon assistance in case of danger? Yet, no matter how much she assured herself, she still felt horribly depressed and out of sorts. Firstly, she was irritated against her husband. Since the weather had turned so bad, it was just as well that she returned early from the Emer- sons, but Jim's behavior at her friends' house was quite inexcusable. He would have to explain that. When he returned from Washington she would have a thorough understanding with him. These constant bickerings and disputes could not go on. He was making her life perfectly miserable. Sometimes she asked if she had not made a mistake, if she had not sacrificed herself in marry- ing a man who was brilliant rather than sympa- thetic, and thrown away the happiness that she might have had as the wife of another. She won- dered why she had not met Wilbur Emerson at the dance. Isabel had said he would be there. It was months since she had seen him, and nearly three years had passed since that night when he had clasped her in his arms and asked her to be his 221 THE GAMBLERS wife. Still she remembered that kiss, yet in these three years she had ever been a faithful, dutiful wife to Jim. He certainly had no cause to com- plain. She had tried to dismiss Wilbur entirely from her mind, to forget him completely, but sometimes she found it impossible. The memory of that embrace would never fade while life lasted. The chimes of a neighboring church clock struck half -past eleven. It was still pouring, and the wind howled as if all the demons in the infernal regions had been let loose. It was certainly time for bed. Kathryn yawned and rose from her seat. She was about to call her maid, when suddenly the telephone rang. Lifting the instrument up from the desk, littered with a mass of legal papers, she spoke into the sender: "Hello? Oh, is that you, Isabel? Yes, it's Kate I'm so glad you called me up. I'm terribly lonely. Company of your own? I should say so, but don't begrudge me five minutes two minutes! Well, a minute, then. Yes, I'm going to have it out with you. I won't go on like this. No, I've made up my mind. Oh, it's worse than that! Everything I do is wrong everything I don't do is wrong the 222 THE GAMBLERS whole world is wrong, and he's the only one that is right. Isn't that a comfy hubby to have around ? it puts one on such good terms with them- selves " She stopped suddenly and listened. A ring at the front door downstairs had attracted her atten- tion. Who could it be at such an hour and in such weather? Putting the receiver to her ear again, she went on: "Oh, don't ring off. Can you come to lunch to- morrow? Going with your brother? Well, take me with you. I don't care what Mr. Darwin says. Yes. Oh, a quarrel more or less doesn't mat- ter " The door of the library opened and Jane ap- peared. Without relinquishing the receiver, Kate looked up questioningly. The maid had a worried look and stood waiting for her mistress to stop talking. Kathryn hastened to cut the telephone chat short. "Well, I'll let you go now. Good night! Hallo! hallo! I'm coming over to-morrow." With a careless laugh she added: "Oh, I don't care I'm reckless now. Good night!" 223 THE GAMBLERS She hung up the receiver and looked up. "Well, what is it, Jane?" "Some one's called," said the girl. "A man to see Mr. Darwin." "So late?" exclaimed her mistress. "Didn't you tell him Mr. Darwin was out?" "Yes, ma'am then he asked if he could see you " "See me !" echoed Kathryn in amazement. "Did he give you a card? Who is he?" "No, ma'am; he looks like a chauffeur." "Say that Mr. Darwin will be at his office late to-morrrow, and ask him to leave a message." Jane was about to retire when Kathryn picked up from the desk a long, legal-size blue envelope. Holding it up so that the girl could see, she said : "Is this the package which came late this after- noon for Mr. Darwin?" "Yes, ma'am." "Who left it?" "A man with gray hair. He seemed very nerv- ous and in a hurry. He said it was very impor- tant, and that Mr. Darwin was to get it as soon as he came in." 224 THE GAMBLERS "Why didn't you give it to your master when he got home?" "I forgot it, ma'am. When Mr. Darwin came in he seemed so upset at your being out that I was afraid to tell him anything, and then when he re- turned with you the package slipped my mind. I hope it's not too late, ma'am." "No, no. That's all right. Jane. I'll give it to Mr. Darwin to-morrow when he returns from Washington. Meantime I'll lock it up in the safe. It may be important. Tell the person downstairs that Mr. Darwin is in Washington." "Yes, ma'am." The maid left the room and closed the door. Kathryn rose with a yawn and glanced at the clock. A quarter to twelve? It was high time she was in bed. Who ever heard of people calling at that hour? Possibly it was one of the men at- tached to her husband's office. There had been a lot of mysterious goings and comings lately, no doubt in connection with the Emerson Bank in- vestigation. It was horrid of Jim to take so active a part in the prosecution proceedings. Of course, she said 225 THE GAMBLERS to herself, the law must take its course. He couldn't let friendship interfere with his duty, but there were different ways of interpreting one's duty. The way that her husband went at it showed personal ani- mus. He hated Wilbur Emerson, and would take the keenest delight in trapping him in some tech- nical violation of the law. With a sigh she crossed the room, and for a moment stood in front of the mirror, taking off her jewels. She unfastened the string of fine pearls that adorned her delicate neck, took off the gold bracelet that encircled her beautiful arm, and drew off one by one the magnificent rings that blazed on her white, tapering fingers. She had not many jew- els, but the few she did possess had considerable value, and she neglected no precaution to ensure their safety. Each night, on retiring, she placed them in a safe cleverly concealed in a handsome walnut cabinet, situated in the centre of the book- shelves behind the desk. She was just turning the combination preliminary to opening the safe when, all at once, Jane reappeared. Kathryn stopped short and looked up inquir- ingly. 226 THE GAMBLERS "Well, Jane, what did he say?" "He wouldn't give any message, ma'am. He says he wants to see Mr. Darwin on very important business." "Where is he now?" Kathryn did not much like the idea of this late, mysterious visitor. "Where is he now?" she repeated nervously. "I left him downstairs in the hall, ma'am." "Alone, in the hall?" Her mistress's nervousness communicated itself to the maid. Apprehensively she said: "I don't much like his looks, ma'am. He acts queer. I'm afraid to go down again." Kathryn was about to chide her for being so foolish when suddenly they heard the front door close with a bang. Both women started. "What was that?" exclaimed Kathryn. "It sounded like the front door closing. Maybe he got impatient and went away. I'll go and see." She left the room, and Kathryn hurriedly opened the safe. Pulling out a drawer, she put away her jewels and then, returning to the desk, picked up 227 THE GAMBLERS the long 1 , legal-size blue envelope, which she also put in the safe. This done, she closed the door and gave the knob a twist. She had hardly finished when Jane reappeared, white and trembling. "He must have gone," she said, with a scared look in her eyes. "Gone!" ejaculated Kathryn. "That's strange! Are you sure that he that he did go ?" The maid did not answer. She stood perfectly still, listening intently in the direction of the stairs. Then, quickly, she went to the window and craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse of the stoop. In spite of her efforts to remain calm, Kathryn felt herself growing more nervous every minute. Here they were, two w r eak, defenseless women, alone in a house full of valuables. Suppose this strange visitor was a thief, a burglar, who had merely in- vented an excuse in order to gain admittance to the house. Perhaps he had only banged the door as a feint. Maybe, he was hiding somewhere in the darkness downstairs. All this ran quickly through her mind while Jane stood at the window, pale and trembling. "Are you quite sure that he went ?" said Kathryn. 228 THE GAMBLERS Instead of answering, the girl pointed silently to the window. "What's the matter?" demanded her mistress. In a terrified whisper the girl said: "There are two strange men out in the street!" "Isn't that the proper place for strange men?" laughed Kathryn, trying to make light of it. "Yes," said Jane, "but they are looking in at the windows." "Nonsense, Jane," said Kathryn, who was be- ginning to feel creepy herself. "You're getting nervous. Lock up and go to bed." The girl came back into the rooms and tried to smile. With a sheepish look, she cried: "Yes, ma'am, I drank three cups of tea to-night, but that doesn't account for the suspicious way those men acted. I'm quite sure they were look- ing in." "Were you looking out?" "Yes, ma'am." "Well, perhaps that explains it." "Perhaps," replied Jane ingenuously, not under- standing the jest. "If you go on, Jane," laughed her mistress, 229 THE GAMBLERS "you'll succeed in making me as nervous as you are. You know that sort of thing is very catching. I thought it better to put the blue envelope which came for Mr. Darwin in the safe. If he asks for it to-morrow you can tell him." "Yes, ma'am." Kathryn glanced at the clock. "Gracious! Five minutes to twelve. I suppose cook is in bed." "Sound asleep an hour ago, ma'am. My, but she can sleep! How she does it I don't know." "It's a lack of imagination," smiled her mistress. "Well, I envy her. You'd better go yourself, Jane. Good night. I'll put the lights out." "Thank you, ma'am. Good night, ma'am." Putting out two side lights, the maid left the room. Kathryn stood for a few moments listening. She heard the girl downstairs shutting doors. Then presently, as Jane came up, passed by on her way to bed, she inquired: "Is everything all right?" "Yes, ma'am, everything's locked up." "Well, good night, Jane." 230 THE GAMBLERS "Good night, ma'am." Kathryn came into the library and, shutting the door, turned out the lights, leaving the room in complete darkness, except for the ruddy glow given out by the dying embers in the grate. Then, going to the door communicating with her own bedroom, she opened it. At that moment she fancied she heard a creak on the landing outside. For a sec- ond her heart leaped up into her throat and then began thumping furiously. Quickly she turned on the electric switch, and opening cautiously the door leading to the landing, looked out. Seeing nothing, she stood still for a few moments, listening intently. There was not a sound. All was quiet. Convinced she was mistaken, she shut the door and wtent into her own room, closing the door after her. 231 CHAPTER XV THE library, now plunged in utter darkness, took on a new and terrifying aspect. The faint glimmer of the expiring hearth em- bers only served to intensify the almost opaque blackness, causing each object, each piece of furni- ture, each curio to appear of colossal proportions and fantastic shape. The room was full of bizarre forms and dancing shadows. The bronze bust of Lincoln stood out in awesome relief, a gaunt, cyn- ical mask in which at moments the eyes seemed to flash as though it covered a living head. The stal- wart figure in medieval armor, with visor closed, appeared to actually move, as if about to descend from his pedestal with threatening and murderous intent. Not a sound was to be heard but the mourn- ful dirge of the wind and the savage beating of the rain against the window panes. Suddenly a flash of white light leaped through the room. Had a woman been there it would have startled her badly. A man with a mind trained to 232 THH GAMBLERS seek cause from effect might have concluded that it was caused by a passing automobile's searchlight and troubled himself no further. But in this case the man's cold reasoning would have been wrong and the woman's instinct right. The light came again, and the true cause was enough to create alarm in the boldest. It flashed up and down, pene- trating into every corner, under the chairs, on top of the desk, under the bookshelves, until finally it rested on the closed door of Kathryn's bedchamber. A man was behind the small pocket electric searchlight. He advanced carefully, cautiously, noiselessly into the room. He was a tall man of athletic build, and he wore a long, gray auto coat; a cap, with goggles was pulled so far down over his face that it was impossible to see his features. He stopped and listened intently. There was not a sound. The entire household was asleep. Then cautiously, stealthily, he advanced to the desk and swept with his lantern the mass of papers with which it was littered. Quickly he rummaged among the papers, as if seeking something. Not finding what he wanted, he gave a muffled exclamation of disappointment. At that instant his foot caught in 233 THE GAMBLERS the rug and, losing his balance, he stumbled heavily against a chair. The door of the bedchamber opened and Kathryn appeared, still fully dressed. She had been reading some letters before starting to get ready for bed, when suddenly she heard the noise. Nervous and trying to peer through the darkness, she called out: "Who's there? Is that you, Jane?" There was no answer. Now thoroughly alarmed, Kathryn did a thing which, under the peculiar cir- cumstances, a woman should never do. She turned on the electric switch. Instantly the library was flooded with light, and there in the centre of the room, making no attempt to get away, was the noc- turnal intruder. Involuntarily Kathryn gave a scream. She was too frightened to run. Her feet seemed glued to the spot, her tongue clove to her palate. At last, after all these years of nervous apprehension, she was face to face with a burglar. The man ad- vanced toward her. Threateningly he said: "Hush! Don't make a noise, or it will be the worse for you !" 234 "SHE WAS FACE TO FACE WITH A BURGLAR." Page 234. THE GAMBLERS "What do you want?" she said, her teeth chat- tering with sheer terror. "Your jewelry and money!" he replied sternly. "Come, now you look like a sensible woman. No outcry please I want no violence if I can avoid "There's no money and very little jewelry here," stammered Kathryn. She turned to flee. He halted her with a warning gesture and she noticed that in his hand he held a pistol. "Don't move !" he commanded. "Stay where you are!" Despite the fact that he was a burglar and in control of the situation, she resented his domineer- ing tone. "Why do you want me to stay here?" she de- manded haughtily. "I don't care what you take. Don't you see I'm afraid of you?" He went to the door leading to the landing through which he had entered and locked it. "You need not be afraid," he chuckled, "but don't move from this room." Pointing to a chair by the fireplace he added: "Sit down, please." 235 THE GAMBLERS Powerless to resist, Kathryn sat down and watched him. He was surely a singular burglar. She could not see his face, but she noticed that his hands were white and well manicured and there was something familiar about his voice. Could it be the butler whom they had discharged some months ago? It was about the same figure. In- voluntarily she pressed the button of the electric bell which was near the fireplace. His alert eye saw the action, and like a flash he was upon her. "You rang that bell!" he exclaimed fiercely. "Where does it connect?" Too frightened for utterance, she made no an- swer. "With the servants' room, I suppose," he went on. Sternly he commanded : "Now, do as I tell you !" Revolver in hand, he tiptoed over to the locked door and listened. Then turning and addressing his victim, he said: "Some one is coming! Unless you tell them to go, that it's all right, I'll " He leveled his revolver at the door. "It's a woman !" cried Kathryn in terror. "You wouldn't kill her?" 236 THE GAMBLERS "Tell her to go, or " he commanded. Forgetting for the moment her own danger, the mistress pleaded earnestly for the life of her maid servant. "No no !" she cried. "She's done no harm she she's only obeying orders! Why don't you kill me? I rang for her she doesn't know!" "Hush!" he commanded sternly. There was a knock on the door. Jane, aroused from her sleep by her mistress's ring, was outside trying to open. In a low whisper he said : "Tell her it's all right it was a mistake that she may go." By way of enforcing his order, he again leveled the pistol. Quickly Kathryn called out: "It's all right, Jane, it was a mistake." "Tell her to go," he whispered. "You may go, Jane." "Very well, ma'am," said the girl. He stood behind the door, listening as the maid's footsteps died away in the distance. Then, turning suddenly on his trembling companion, he said fiercely : "Where does your husband keep his valuables 237 THE GAMBLERS his check book, money and and articles he consid- ers of importance or value?" "In his office downtown!" she gasped. "Yes," he retorted quickly, "but it may happen that he keeps them here, too. He'd keep his money and important correspondence together. Where is it? Come!" he said determinedly, "I must know." Then, lowering his voice, he added more gently: "I'm sorry to appear brutal, but " Kathryn started. Looking at the man more closely, she exclaimed : "That voice! Your voice reminds me " "What is in here?" demanded the intruder, in- terrupting her gruffly. "Nothing of of value. If I give you a pearl necklace worth a great deal of money it's really all the jewelry I have will you be satisfied and go without doing us any harm?" "Let's see it," he muttered. "It's a present. I hate to part with it, but " She rose, and going to the safe, began to work on the combination, while he stood watching. Pres- ently the steel doors opened, and pulling out the little drawer Kathryn lifted up the pearl necklace. 238 THE GAMBLERS "It's worth a lot of money," she said. "Take that, and spare my life." But the burglar scarcely noticed the jewels. His gaze was riveted on the long, blue envelope which she had placed away in the safe earlier in the evening. "What is in that money?" he demanded. She shook her head. "No, only papers belonging to my husband. It was left here this afternoon. It's of no value. Won't you please take the pearls and go?" Almost on the verge of a nervous collapse, she staggered to her feet. Almost hysterically she re- peated : "My strength is exhausted. Take the jewels and go!" The intruder stooped quickly and grasped the blue envelope. Overjoyed at having found at last what he had been looking for, he turned to the frightened woman. Dropping his rough tones and removing his cap, he said gently: "I am sorry deeply sorry to have dis- tressed " Kathryn looked up, gave him a quick glance, and 239 THE GAMBLERS fell back with a cry of amazement, in which indig- nation was mingled with relief. "Wilbur Emerson! It's Wilbur Emerson! My God, it's Wilbur Emerson!" For a moment it was all she could say. It was so astounding that momentarily she was bereft of reason. He remained silent, standing still, just looking at her, holding the coveted blue envelope tight in his hand. Finally, she began to awaken to a realization of the humiliation to which he had subjected her. Haughtily she said : "What are you doing in my husband's house at this hour of the night, like a thief? You are a thief!" "Yes," he answered bitterly, "I am a thief. Send for the police!" "What good would that do ?" she answered with a shrug of her beautiful bare shoulders. "You didn't come here for money. You have some other motive. A man with the millions you are supposed to be worth does not break into houses for what jewelry he can find. What does it mean, Mr. Em- erson? What does it mean? Is it a brutal, prac- tical joke? Surely there is some explanation " 240 THE GAMBLERS "Oh, yes," he said quickly, "there is some expla- nation, but none that I can give or that you would accept. It is the last frantic effort of a desperate man to head off his enemies, to reestablish him- self and his business associates in the eyes of the world." She gazed at him in utter astonishment, not un- derstanding. Indignantly, and with a shade of re- proach in her voice, she said: "What has this to do with the fact that you have entered this house like a thief in the night, and forcibly! Oh, I believed in you, Wilbur! I al- ways believed in you, in spite of what my husband has said. Can't you explain? There must be a reason." He nodded. "Yes, there is a reason, but none admitted by any law social or moral. Judge for yourself." Ea- gerly he went on: "A group of friends who have entrusted their fortunes to me have been driven to the wall by the bigger interests. At a critical moment during the panic this gigantic Money Trust cut us off from all assistance made every effort to force us to the wall. The direct object of these big 241 THE GAMBLERS moneyed interests is to ruin us. We needed money to tide over, and had no one to turn to. They didn't care whether thousands of our depositors suffered, so long as they ruined us. They wanted it all for themselves. It was then that we over- borrowed our capital in the hopes of making enough to save our thousands of poor devils who have invested their money with us. This act broke a technical law. The big interests, who were watch- ing us closely, found it out and set the Government machinery to work and the Government has turned us over to the tender mercy of your husband Mr. James Darwin. The destruction of these notes will save my father and my friends from a long term of imprisonment!" "Your father in prison ?" she cried. "Yes, prison! The evidence which is in this en- velope was sent to your husband this evening by one of our most trusted officials. He allowed him- self to be bribed by Mr. Darwin into betraying his friends. You see, the reformer doesn't hesitate to corrupt a man in order to prove that corruption exists " A softer light came into her eyes. Her bosom 242 THE GAMBLERS rose and fell with suppressed emotion. More kindly she said : "And it was to save your father and your friends that you came to to " "My father is as innocent as a child," he inter- rupted quickly. "He trusted in me implicitly, and I I am responsible for his present predicament. By God! if he goes to prison, I I can't bear to think of it. You see to what it has driven me." Quietly, firmly, she took from him the envelope which he still held in his hand. Slowly she asked : "Would the destruction of these notes save you personally?" "It might," he said thoughtfully. "I don't know. I'm a marked man my success has been phenomenal and I have a great many enemies. I've done wrong, Kathryn, I acknowledge it and I ask no forgiveness. All I beg and implore is that the innocent may not suffer with the guilty." Kathryn nodded. Meditatively, she said: "The innocent often suffer with the guilty. Mr. Darwin says it is better that the innocent should suffer than that the guilty should escape." "Well," exclaimed Wilbur quickly, "my father 243 THE GAMBLERS shan't suffer for my sins! I've made up my mind to that." He advanced toward her with open hand, as if expecting that she would return to him the blue envelope which she held. But, instead, she drew back a few steps and looked at him reproachfully. Gravely she said : "You mean that you have made up your mind to add the crime of stealing to your folly in coming here to-night?" His eyes still fixed on the envelope, he nodded. She went on: "If I refuse to allow you to take this, you will take it by force is that what you mean?" "Give it to me, Kate," he said coaxingly. "Please, don't call me by that name," she replied haughtily. He looked at her reproachfully. Gently he said : "There's nothing in a lifelong friendship, eh? I thought you and I were good friends. Have you forgotten the past ? Darwin won you, but he never loved you as I did. I believe you loved me once." She looked away. More gently she said: "Please don't refer to that now. You loved the 244 THB GAMBLERS excitement of making money of building up for- tunes for yourself and others. Success had more attractions for you than a woman's love." He shook his head. "I loved you, Kate, and you know it. You re- fused me. You thought Darwin would do more for you. Perhaps if I had married you, I shouldn't be in this plight now. And your husband doesn't he love success doesn't he sacrifice every one, even you, to gain it?" "Please don't!" she cried. But he refused to be silenced. Angrily he went on: "Don't you think he won victory enough over me when he got you? You know the kind of man he is not justice, but vengeance punishment per- sonified. Are you going to place our lives in his hands?" "Your lives ?" she echoed. "A man like my father doesn't survive a term in prison, and I wouldn't live to see him sentenced. Spare us, Kate!" She turned away so that he should not see the tears in her eyes. Her sympathies were with him 245 THE GAMBLERS and his father, but what could she do? Gently she said: "Betray my husband? No, I can't Wilbur, these public matters are entrusted to him. It is his sworn duty. His work is great and noble. He represents the people. How can you ask any woman to coldly, deliberately sacrifice her hus- band's honor?" "It is not his honor!" cried Wilbur bitterly; "it's his ambition! Father is old; he hasn't long to live and Kate I love you! I have never loved you more than when you stand there now a living wall between me and the object of my visit here to- night. Can you do this thing to a man who loves you?" She drew herself up haughtily. "You have no right to speak of love ! It it's an insult!" "No man's love is an insult," he interrupted. "I don't ask you to return that love. I'm only asking you to to help me, for my father's sake." "What is it you want me to do?" she demanded. "Give me those notes, and say nothing to Mr. Darwin of my visit here." 246 THE GAMBLERS "I can't, Wilbur ! I can't !" she cried. "My God, I can't! How can I look my husband in the face again if I deliberately rob him of the results of his honest work?" "Honest work!" cried Wilbur scornfully. "Dis- honest work ! He wormed and tricked those things out of one of our directors by promises of free- dom. He bribed a man to betray his partners. Is the man who bribes any better than the man who is bribed? I'm afraid that you'll discover that your god has feet of clay." "I'll ask Mr. Darwin to to " "He'll laugh at you!" "Perhaps he will relent." Wringing her hands distractedly, she went on : "It's hard to be placed in this position. I want to help you and I dare not. I don't know what to do. Just think, if he asks me to-morrow if these things have been sent to him. I would lie and go on lying. Oh! the dishonesty of the whole thing! Why do you compel me to do this? You are forcing me. I can feel myself giv- ing way against my will. If I did this thing I should tell him I know I should I'm never able to keep a secret from him. He has a way of com- 247 THE GAMBLERS pelling one to say all they know, and " Hoarse- ly, almost hysterically, she added: "I'm afraid that's the whole truth of it I'm afraid I'm afraid of him, Wilbur." He looked at her fixedly, as he replied slowly : "The woman who loves a man isn't afraid of him. I see, it will make you unhappy to do this, and so we must pay the full penalty!" His voice still pleading, he went on: "Kate, won't it make you just a little bit unhappy when your husband, in his hour of triumph, tells you that he has just sent five men to prison one of them an innocent old man whose whole life has been a model of gentle- ness and virtue? Come, be a woman forget that you're a wife ! Your duty to your husband ? Yes fine great noble! But your duty as a woman a human being doesn't that come first? Isn't the instinct of mercy stronger than the mere desire to be right?" "I don't know! I don't know!" she cried dis- tractedly. Wilbur's face hardened. The lines about his mouth tightened. Why should he stand there wast- ing time, trying to argue with a woman? The 248 THE GAMBLERS proofs the damning proofs of his criminality were there in her hands. He had but to seize and destroy them and all danger would be averted. Moving closer, he said determinedly: "Can't move you, eh? Now, listen to me I practically risked my life in coming here to-night, and I don't intend to go without " As he advanced, Kathryn retreated. "You mean you are going to use force?" she exclaimed apprehensively. He continued to advance threateningly. "Yes, if you compel me!" he replied, with grim determination. Kathryn, terror stricken, took refuge behind a chair. "No, no not that, Wilbur!" she cried plead- ingly. "Don't don't it isn't in you to do that!" He still advanced on her, but as he was about to seize hold of her he weakened. "You're right!" he gasped; "there's a limit to my villainy I give it up I've done my best. You're witness to that I've done my best. Poor father, your last chance has gone! I'm sorry, Kate I'm sorry to have distressed you so. You're 249 THE GAMBLERS a good woman, and you say that the innocent should suffer with the guilty. Well, perhaps you're right- but it's hard, isn't it? You'll admit that" "Yes, I admit that," she said sympathetically. "Give me till to-morrow. I'll think over what's best to be done. I want to do what is right, but I don't want to be cruel." Eagerly he grasped at this straw she held out. "You said to-morrow?" he cried. "Don't raise my hopes unless " She interrupted him. "Did you say that Mr. Darwin bribed one of your partners to betray you?" "Yes Cowper. He brought your husband those notes." She was silent for a moment, as if meditating. Then she said: "It seems to me that that was not exactly hon- orable." He shrugged his shoulders. Bitterly he said : "I suppose all is fair in love and politics. Your husband is playing the game as the reformer un- derstands it." Holding out his hand he said : "I'm going now. You'll forgive me, won't you?" 250 THE GAMBLERS She put her hand in his. "I wish I knew what to do," she said. "I wish I knew what was best what was right." He turned as he reached the door. "Good-bye," he said. "I'm going to make one last appeal to your husband to-morrow to spare my father. Don't tell him of this this folly of to- night, till after I have seen him, please." She nodded affirmatively. "Promise me," he said. "I promise not only that, but when I do tell him I'll ask him to I did ask him not to take this case, but he refused. I can't promise you that he'll listen to me, but I'll try I'll try " "Oh, if you only succeed!" "If you had these notes, would would it save you personally?" "No. It makes no difference to me personally. The crime was mine. I engineered the deal, and I must face the music ; but it will save my father and the others." Kathryn looked at him. Gently she said: "I see. You love your father very much, don't you?" 251 THB GAMBLERS "I think so. I don't know I suppose it's love, but it isn't that altogether it's self-reproach. It's all my doing, Kate mine alone. He was content and happy. He had enough to live on and was sat- isfied but he gave way to my ambition, my desire to emulate the big moneyed men to lead to be the great central figure." Kathryn suddenly felt faint. The night's excite- ment had been too much for her. She staggered as if falling, and Wilbur hastened to assist her. "This is too bad. You must be tired out." "Yes," she murmured. "I must go to my room. You can find your way out. Please turn off the light as you go." "Yes, I will. Good night, and God bless you!" "Good night, Mr. Emerson. I'll do my best." She opened the door of her chamber and disap- peared. Wilbur buttoned up his coat, took his cap and turned the electric switch. Then, noiselessly, he unlocked the door leading to the landing and cau- tiously opened it. To his amazement he found the hall outside brilliantly illuminated and a man stand- ing there, as if on guard. 252 CHAPTER XVI WILBUR retreated into the library. The stranger, a square- jawed man with thick soles redolent of the detective bureau, followed him in. "What are you doing there?" demanded Wilbur uneasily. "I'm acting under orders, sir," replied the man. "Whose orders?" "The district attorney's." Wilbur started. Quickly he said: v ^ "You are " "Detective Hicks of the Central Office, sir." "You're the man who was watching my house to-night from across the street?" "Yes, Mr. Emerson." "You followed me here?" "Yes, sir." "What's your object ?" "Mr. Darwin will tell you that when he conies." 253 THE GAMBLERS Involuntarily Wilbur made an exclamation of astonishment. "Mr. Darwin? I thought he was in Washington by this time. Does he know I am here?" "Yes, sir. He's now on his way home from the Pennsylvania depot. Our messenger caught him as he was getting on the train." Hurriedly Wilbur started for the door. "I'm afraid I can't wait here for Mr. Darwin." The detective barred the way. Resolutely he said : "I'm afraid you must, sir. His orders were to keep you here until he came " "Keep me here by force?" cried Wilbur deri- sively. "That would be too good a joke." The detective remained calm, but masterful. Re- spectfully he said: "My orders are to keep you here, sir. I have another man on watch downstairs. Mr. Darwin won't be long. He ought to have been here five minutes ago." Putting his hand in his pocket and drawing out a roll of banknotes, Wilbur said carelessly: "I suppose it's no use my suggesting that my offering to to " 254 THE GAMBLERS The detective shook his head. Laconically he replied : "No, sir, I wouldn't do that if I were you." "Name your own figure!" exclaimed Wilbur ea- gerly. Seeing that the man was incorruptible and that no amount of money would tempt him, he de- sisted. Carelessly he said: "Never mind never mind. I'll make the best of it." Suddenly they heard a door bang downstairs. "There's Mr. Darwin now!" said the detec- tive. A moment later the district attorney entered the room. He had run upstairs without even stopping to remove his coat and hat. In his hand he held a traveling bag. As he entered the room he stopped and looked squarely at Wilbur. He said nothing, but there was a stern, determined expression in his face that boded no good for any man who had the temerity to enter his house without his knowledge and consent. Slowly he removed his hat and coat and threw them with the bag on to a chair. Then, going to his desk, he turned to the detective and asked : 255 THH GAMBLERS "Where is Mrs. Darwin?" "In her room, sir." "Does she know I've returned?" "No, sir." Going quickly to his wife's bedchamber, Darwin stopped at the threshold and listened. Hearing nothing, he tried to open the door, but it was locked. Walking back to the desk he cast a keen, suspicious look at his nocturnal visitor. Sternly he demanded : "Now, Mr. Emerson, what are you doing in my house at this hour?" "I came to see you." "To see me at midnight?" exclaimed Darwin incredulously. Ironically he added: "What time was it when you paid me -this honor?" "I can't remember the exact hour " Darwin turned to Hicks. "Exactly thirty-five minutes past eleven, sir," said the detective promptly. "They told you I was not here?" said Darwin slowly. "Yes." "It's now one o'clock." "I waited for you." 256 THE GAMBLERS "Waited nearly two hours?" "Yes." "Did Mrs. Darwin tell you that I had gone to Washington ?" "No." "What did she tell you?" exclaimed Darwin im- patiently. It was only by the exercise of the great- est self-control that he contained himself. "Come, don't try and lie like a gentleman don't waste your time trying to save a woman's reputation and above all, don't spare my feelings!" Fiercely, almost savagely, he added: "I want the facts, and believe me, I'm going to get them!" "You can have all the facts," replied Wilbur frankly. "There's nothing I wish to hide, but I object to being questioned, cross-examined, as it were, in the presence of that man. I'm not in court not yet. Send him away and I'll I'll tell you the whole truth!" The district attorney looked at him searchingly for a moment. Then, suspiciously, he said: "I want a witness." "I'll put it in writing if you like." "Very well. I'll hear what you have to say." 257 THE GAMBLERS Turning to the detective he said: "Wait down- stairs. Don't come till I call." "Very good, sir," replied the man as he went out, closing the door quietly behind him. Darwin pointed to a seat, and took a seat him- self at the desk. "Well, sir, I'm waiting," said the district attor- ney coldly. "Mr. Darwin," began Wilbur, "I know what's in your mind in regard to my visit. I know what has always been in your mind in regard to me. But man to man, before God, you are wrong in both instances." "Never mind what you suspect I think," snapped Darwin. "Let us have the facts. What was your object in coming here?" "I came to steal." "Oh!" exclaimed Darwin. "So robbery was your motive?" "Yes, let me explain." - The attorney laughed incredulously. Facetiously he said : "And instead of avoiding detection and arrest you stayed around two hours?" 258 THE GAMBLERS Wilbur nodded. "Yes, but " "Would you swear to that in a court of law?" "Yes." "Then you're a bigger fool than I thought you were, and I marvel at your business success." Leaning forward, his teeth clinched, hate flashing from his eyes, he went on: "Emerson, I'm going to be frank and indelicate, but I want the truth. I hate evil and evildoers. I hate them! You love my wife yes, you do!" "I admire and respect her," protested Wilbur. T "She would have married you," went on the at- torney bitterly, "if your love of money had not turned your head but that is some time ago. The situation has changed. You have made money you can rest on your laurels which means you can indulge your passion. You loved her and she she loved you and you are here in my house after midnight the deduction is inevitable. You " Wilbur sprang to his feet. Indignantly he cried : 259 THE GAMBLERS "Don't say it! Don't say it! Besides, it's a damnable lie! She doesn't love me!" "She did love you!" persisted Darwin. "She told me so years ago in a charming outburst of schoolgirl confidence told me the whole story " "Which you are blackguard enough to betray!" Ignoring the interruption the lawyer went on : "You came here to rob the house yes and you have robbed it my wife is " "Leave her name out of the affair!" exclaimed Wilbur hotly. "How can I?" demanded Darwin cynically. Wilbur sprang forward with an angry gest- ure. "By God, if you mention it again, I'll " Re- straining himself with an effort, he went on: "I want to tell the truth, damn you, but you won't give me a chance, so anxious you are to fasten guilt on that innocent little woman! You live in an at- mosphere of suspicion your trade is to convict, and you see nothing but guilt all around you I told you I came here to steal " "And I dismiss your explanation as absurd and 260 THE GAMBLERS trivial," retorted the attorney. "Come, try again " Wilbur looked at him for a moment in silence. Then slowly he said: "First of all, I want you to give your your word of honor as a man, though I have precious little faith in it that you will not use any of the facts I may give you as evidence against us my- self or my associates in the Federal Courts." "Oh, yes granted." "You promise?" "I promise. Go on!" Stepping quickly to the door, Wilbur listened in- tently. Putting his hand on the knob and giving it a quick twist, he suddenly opened the door and exclaimed : "Let's have a witness to that there's one right here!" Putting out his hand he pulled in Hicks, who had a notebook in hand. Addressing the detective, he said: "While you are taking notes, I wish you to note the fact that Mr. Darwin solemnly promises not to use any of the statements I am about to make 261 THE GAMBLERS to him as evidence in the case of the United States Government against the Emerson Banking Com- pany." Darwin nodded approval. "That's all!" said Wilbur curtly. "Now, keep away from that door." The man went out, closing the door behind him. Darwin looked on in silence. "Well?" he demanded at last. Wilbur folded his arms and looked his rival full in the face. Contemptuously he said: "The deal you made with George Cowper is known to us." "Indeed!" exclaimed the attorney. "You had an appointment this afternoon." "Well " "He kept the appointment. You were detained downtown, so did not get what he brought you. The evidence he was to supply you with, for which you bribed him with promises of personal immunity, was left here by him, according to promise." "Well " "I heard it was here at fifteen minutes before ten at half-past eleven I was hiding in this house." 262 THE GAMBLERS "Speak a little louder, please," suggested the at- torney. "No," retorted Wilbur, "this is for your ear alone." Darwin laughed cynically. Carelessly he said : "That man outside knows all about you and your affairs. The moment you came in this house he telephoned for instructions." "Yes, but he doesn't know that I came here to recover the notes that George Cowper left here for you." "You acknowledge," cried Darwin exultantly, "that these notes will convict you and your asso- ciates?" Wilbur nodded. Quickly he replied: "I acknowledge that they will convict me. My associates are entirely ignorant of the uses to which their signatures were put." A look of anxiety suddenly crossed the attorney's face. "Where are the notes?" he demanded. "I don't know," answered Wilbur carelessly; "I haven't them Mrs. Darwin " "Ah, yes, let's come to that !" said Darwin, look- 263 THE GAMBLERS ing up quickly. "What part did she play in this this affair?" "She found me here in the ac'. of searching your desk." "Oh!" "She thought I was an ordinary burglar, and of- fered me her jewelry on condition I would go, but afterwards she recognized my voice and " "And what?" "She refused to allow me to take away what I had come for. I argued, pleaded, threatened to use force, but it was useless. She was firm in her fidel- ity to your interests." Darwin shrugged his shoulders. With an ironical smile he said: "Firm in her fidelity to my interests, eh? A very nice-sounding phrase! Instead of handing a burglar over to the police, she entertained him for two hours. Quite probable ! She was always most sympathetic. How do you propose to prove this farrago of nonsense?" "Mrs. Darwin will tell you it is the truth," replied Wilbur. "And if it is the truth," snapped Darwin, "you 264 THE GAMBLERS expect me to suppress the important fact that you came here to steal documentary evidence that would be damaging to yourself and your part- ners?" "I have your promise." "Yes, you have my promise," said Darwin, look- ing sternly at his vis-a-vis. "It's a damn pretty story, if it's true. If she corroborates the story in all its essentials, I may be disposed to accept ; but I have a cursed inner conviction that you're lying! You're a picturesque sort of a scoundrel just the sort of a fellow that has no compunction in breaking up a home, and boasting of it after- wards." "The truth of my story is easily proven," replied Wilbur with quiet dignity. "Cowper will tell you that he left the notes here; the servant received the blue envelope containing them. Mrs. Darwin saw me trying to steal them." "Thanks!" interrupted Darwin sarcastically. "I know how to piece the evidence together. But the other side of the picture is also convincing, and far more circumstantial. Your early association, your love for each other; her anger at my having taken 265 THE GAMBLERS this case against you. Why, she refused to leave your house to-night." "She loves my sister that's why," replied Wilbur. "You were there." "Yes, but I didn't see her. Your spies will tell you I was playing cards. Cowper will tell you he's at my house now waiting for me." Darwin looked toward his wife's room. Pacing nervously up and down the room, he said : "Well, we'll see what she has to say. Your stories should agree. Threateningly he added : "If they don't " "They will," interrupted Wilbur. "If they don't, I shall know precisely what to think and how to act." Drawing himself up, Wilbur looked his old enemy straight in the face. Quietly he asked : "Mr. Darwin, when you try a case in court, you ask the juror if he has a preconceived opinion of the prisoner's guilt ?" "Yes." "And if the juror say he has, you ask him if he can clear his mind of that suspicion?" 266 THE GAMBLERS "Yes." "If he says he cannot, you reject him as incom- petent." "Well?" "I ask you if you can clear your mind of the pre- conceived opinion you have formed as to our guilt." "I am the judge in this case," replied Darwin coldly. "Nevertheless, I ask you to clear your mind of unjust, unholy suspicions." "Unholy!" cried Darwin, with a scornful laugh. "The devil quotes Scripture." Dismissing the banker with a gesture, he added : "Go, now, and wait downstairs till I send for you." Leaving the desk, he crossed the floor, and going to the door of his wife's room, knocked lightly on the panels. For a moment he stood and listened, as if expecting an answer. Not receiving any, he pressed the electric bell at the fireplace. Then, crossing to the door leading to the landing, opened it and called out: "Hicks!" The detective came in and waited as if for in- 267 THE GAMBLERS structions. The district attorney made a gesture in the direction of the banker. "Mr. Emerson will wait downstairs till I have decided just what I am going to do." "Yes, sir," replied the officer. At that moment Jane appeared, sleepy-eyed and hastily dressed in a wrapper. "Did you ring, sir?" she asked. "Yes ; tell Mrs. Darwin I wish to see her. Simply say I am here; you understand?" "Yes, sir." The girl went to her mistress's room, opened the door and entered. Darwin turned to the detective. Sternly he said: "Mr. Emerson will use no effort to leave this house." "Yes, sir." The attorney looked at Wilbur. "You understand?" Wilbur bowed. "I understand." With a last lingering glance in the direction of Kathryn's door, he left the room. As he disap- peared Jane came in. 268 THE GAMBLERS "She's coming right out, sir," she said. "What did you say?" demanded her master. "That you wanted to see her. sir." "Was she asleep?" "No, sir." "Did you see Mr. Em ?" His question was suddenly interrupted by the entrance of his wife. "That's all, Jane," he said quickly. "Wait down- stairs till you are wanted." "Yes, sir." 269 CHAPTER XVII DARWIN closed the door and, returning to his seat at the desk, waited for his wife to appear. He was prepared to hear pa- tiently what she had to say. His trained, legal mind realized the injustice of condemning un- heard. The circumstances were outrageous, the proofs overwhelming, but still it was possible that the presence of this man in his house at midnight for two long hours might be satisfactorily ex- plained. Patiently, judiciously he would listen to whatever explanations Kathryn had to make. But while he tried to take comfort in this line of reasoning and control his nerves, his calm exterior gave little hint of the fury that was raging within. What a poor fool he had been, how blind, how cred- ulous! No doubt this intrigue, these clandestine meetings had been going on for months, and he had suspected nothing. He had returned too soon and disturbed a lovers' tete-a-tete. Quickly in his mind he reviewed his relations with his wife since their 270 THB GAMBLERS marriage her coldness, her indifference, her strange aloofness. The truth was out now. She loved another man, and this man was the criminal whom he was about to send to the penitentiary. Everything was plain to him. This scoundrel Emerson, not content with robbing the depositors of his bank, had not hesitated to rob him of his own wife. This, of course, meant the end of everything. No explanations could contradict the evidence of his own eyes. The culprits were caught flagrante delicto. The door of his wife's boudoir opened and Kath- ryn appeared. She was still fully dressed; her manner apprehensive, nervous and uneasy. Darwin eyed her in stern silence. Timidly she said: "Jane told me you had arrived. You've changed your plans? I thought you had gone." "I delayed my departure," he answered with studied calmness. "I'm not going till early to- morrow." "Well, why don't you go to bed and get some rest?" "I don't feel sleepy," he replied, carelessly. Wav- ing his hand to a seat, he went on: "I'm sorry 271 THE GAMBLERS to disturb you, but I Sit down, Kathryn, I want to talk to you, and as you weren't asleep, it doesn't matter, does it? I'm anxious worried. Of late we've been getting on badly together, Kathryn very badly! I don't know where we are drifting. We don't seem to have a single thought in com- mon. That scene at Emerson's to-night was almost disgraceful." She interrupted him hotly. "It was disgraceful, and I said so at the time. You, a friend of old Mr. Emerson, not only un- dertake this case against him, but to publicly brand them as criminals at the very moment that I am accepting their hospitality, and then to drag me away from them as if they were the vilest kind- She stopped and looked at him as if expecting him to say something, but he maintained an obstinate, sphinx-like silence that intimidated her more than ever. Nervously she went on: "I'm afraid we shall never agree on that point. It has kept me awake thinking of it." At last he broke his long silence. "So you haven't been to sleep ?" he said, sharply. "No," she stammered. 272 THE GAMBLERS "This matter troubled you so?" "Yes." "Was it my actions troubled you, or the fact that your dear friends are in danger?" She did not answer, but sat watching the flick- ering embers in the grate. His gaze still fixed in- tently on her and slightly raising his voice, he went on: "So you spent the rest of the evening and nearly all night thinking over it?" "Yes." "It must have been rather dull lonely no one to talk to." "I'm used to that," was her bitter rejoinder. He took no notice of her retort but, changing his tone, asked : "Did any one call during my absence or ring up? I was expecting a letter." Kathryn started, and not so imperceptibly that he did not notice it. Hurriedly, she replied: "Oh, yes yes a letter came marked 'impor- tant' so I put it in my room for safety." "Ah, so you have it?" he said, quickly. "Yes." 273 THE GAMBLERS "You don't know what it contained?" "Just a some papers, I I think I know it was very important. Shall I get it?" "Not yet. What else did you do?" "What do you mean by : 'What else did I do?' " She looked up quickly, tossing her head back indignantly, almost defiantly. What right had he to sit there and catechise her in that calm, provok- ing way ? There was a short, awkward silence, and then she said, crossly: "It's very late and I'm very sleepy and tired " "I thought you couldn't sleep?" exclaimed Dar- win, a sarcastic smile hovering about the corners of his mouth. Kate rose and, turning her back on him, made a pretence of looking in the mirror, over the man- tel, to pull her combs out: "It's terribly late. If you don't mind I'd like to go to bed." She was moving slowly in the direction of her room, when he halted her with the remark: "Oh, by the way, did any one call while I was away ?" 274 THE GAMBLERS "No no one " He looked at her fixedly, searchingly, and her eyes fell under his penetrating gaze. Coldly he said : "No one, did you say? Are you quite sure?" For a moment she hesitated. Why need he know? The next instant she was sorry. It was not right. He was her husband. Her first duty was to him. It was not loyal to hide anything from him. Besides, nothing had occurred of which she need be ashamed. Quickly she said: "Oh, yes I forgot some one called to see you." "Some one?" inquired Darwin. "A gentleman." "So late? Who was it?" "Wilbur Emerson." The attorney elevated his eyebrows as if greatly surprised. "Wilbur Emerson!" he exclaimed in apparent astonishment. "What did he want?" "He didn't say that is he said something about wanting to see you on very urgent busi- ness." "Well, I suppose you sent word by the servant that I \vas out of town and he went away? 275 THE GAMBLERS "No. I I saw him," she said, hesitatingly. "Oh!" exclaimed Darwin, ironically, "then it wasn't such a dull, lonely evening after all?" "No." "How long did he stay?" "Quite some time. He's so worried about his father, and " "So he remained quite some time confiding his troubles to you?" Kathryn made an appealing gesture. "You see, James, I didn't want to tell you. He asked me not to mention the fact that he came under such peculiar circumstances." "What peculiar circumstances?" "I promised that I wouldn't mention it to you and I I want to keep my promise. James, I'm so sorry for Mr. Emerson's father. Can't you help him?" "Why should he come and tell you all this at midnight?" "He's anxious worried I suppose. Perhaps he didn't think it was so late. He didn't come to see me; he came to see you." "But, finding I was not here, he saw you." 276 THE GAMBLERS "Yes, I suppose that that is what hap- pened." Darwin looked at her in silence for a moment. With studied politeness, he said coldly: "Am I sufficiently in your confidence to enable you to tell me what he said?" "I told you. He wants you to help his father to spare him." "Oh so he came here to-night to ask me to spare his father?" "That was one of the reasons." "What were the others?" She hesitated for a second as if not quite sure what to do. Then, quickly, she said: "I can't tell you now." "Oh you can't tell me!" he exclaimed. She held out her hands, appealingly, trying to make him see the matter in her light. "James, if a woman, a very dear friend had asked you to not to not to betray her confidence not to tell me something that she didn't want me to know and you had promised her on your honor not to would you break that promise, merely because I asked you?" 277 THE GAMBLERS His manner remained unsympathetic, uncompro- mising. "I should never make such a promise," he replied, in hard, relentless tones. "But if you did would you break it?" she in- sisted. "If it was my duty to tell you yes. If you ought to know yes." "Ah I see," she said, slowly. "Ought I to know this this secret?" he went on. "Yes, I I think you ought yes." "Well, what is it?" "But, you see, I promised not to." He shrugged his shoulders. Ironically he re- plied : "Oh! I ought to know, but your promise not to betray your very dear friend's confidence prevents you from speaking ! It must be a very strong sense of obligation to a friend that prevents you from taking your husband into your confidence." See- ing that she still hesitated, he added, bitterly: "I see the tie that binds you to Mr. Emerson is stronger than the tie that binds you to me." Impulsively, she made a few steps toward him. 278 THE GAMBLERS His manner was so reserved, so chilling, that he repelled her, but she did not wish him to think her unkind, or unloyal : "Oh, James James!" she exclaimed, "you are my husband." "Precisely," he said, bitterly. "Isabel and I," she went on, "were class- mates. Old Mr. Emerson has been like a father to me." "And Wilbur what has he been to you?" he demanded, turning with a sudden fierceness that startled her. Ignoring the implied insult in his question, she answered calmly: "Isn't it natural that my sympathies should be with these people in their present trouble ? I prom- ised Mr. Emerson that I would say nothing that would hurt his case. But you compel me to you hear that, James ? You are forcing me to do what I feel is dishonorable." "Dishonorable?" "Yes. To deliberately break a promise is dis- honorable." "Dishonorable to him, perhaps," laughed Darwin, 279 THE GAMBLERS "but honorable to yourself and me." Impatiently, he cried: "Come the truth " Kathryn was silent. She was trying to think, to gain time. In her heart raged a tumult of con- fused, conflicting emotions, resentment against the man who, so punctilious, cold and merciless, was not to be swerved from what he termed public duty, and anxiety to do What was right both by her hus- band and her friends. After all, she meditated, it was not exactly fair to conceal the true facts from her husband. He ought to be made ac- quainted with the real reason for Wilbur Emer- son's call, even if only in justice to herself, for he appeared now to be laboring under an entirely erro- neous impression. In justice to herself she ought to let him understand the situation as it was. Fi- nally she said: "Perhaps you are right, James. When I came into this room to-night I saw what I thought was a common burglar searching among the papers on your desk. It was Mr. Wilbur Emerson. He confessed to me that he had come to to prevent some important communication falling into your hands." 280 THE GAMBLERS "Why didn't you call for help ring for the ser- vants?" demanded Darwin, interrupting her. "I did. The cook had gone to bed. I rang for Jane." "Oh, you did? Well, let's see what Jane says about it." Pressing a button at his desk, he went on: "Burglary, eh? Another of his accomplish- ments and this is the man for whom you ask sym- pathy ! Upon my word, I think you women admire deviltry." "You don't trust me?" said Kathryn reproach- fully. "Not where you and he are concerned !" retorted Darwin quickly. "You don't trust me, James?" she repeated with rising intonation. "No, I do not," he replied, savagely. "I hate this man, Wilbur Emerson! I can't get it out of my mind that deep down in your heart you you think more of him than you do of me. You re- member telling me that he was your first love, I suppose ?" "I wanted you to know. I thought it was only fair to tell you." 281 THE GAMBLERS "Well, do you wonder that I jump at conclusions where you and he are concerned?" "No," she answered, disdainfully. "I wonder at nothing I only wonder that I care what you say or do." He was about to make an angry retort when there came a knock at the door and Jane appeared. Quickly her mistress said: "Jane, when I rang the bell to-night " Darwin interrupted her. "Allow me." Turning to the maid, he said : "Did you answer the bell at the time Mr. Emerson was here?" "Yes, sir." "Did you see Mr. Emerson?" "No, sir." "Who was in the room besides Mrs. Dar- win?" "I didn't see." "Didn't see!" exclaimed the attorney, in blank astonishment. "I I didn't come into the room, sir," explained the girl. "Why not?" he demanded. 282 THE GAMBLERS "I I- She stopped and glanced sheepishly at her mis- tress, who motioned her to proceed. "Please answer his question, Jane." "I I couldn't, sir." "Why not?" "The door was locked, sir." "Yes," interrupted Kathryn, hastily. "Quite true. It was locked, but Mr. Emerson " Ignoring- his wife's interruption, the attorney went on questioning the girl. "Did you try to open the door?" "Yes, sir. I knocked but Mrs. Darwin said it was all right that I could go." "She told you that it was all right that you could go and you went?" "Yes, sir." Fearing that she had been trapped into saying something compromising to her mis- tress, the girl looked apprehensively at Kathryn. "I hope, Madam, that I that nothing that I've said " "That's all," interrupted Darwin, curtly. The maid turned angrily on him. Even humble hirelings have nerves, and the extraordinary events 283 THE GAMBLERS of the evening had been enough to exasperate the equanimity of a saint. "Yes, sir!" she exclaimed, hotly. "The man downstairs said I'd probably be called on to give evidence in court. You'll pardon me, sir, but I won't do it. No, sir! From this very minute I know nothing and wild horses couldn't drag a word out of me!" Having relieved herself by this outburst, she bounced indignantly out of the room. Darwin looked at his wife. "And you ask me to spare ?" he laughed, cynically. "Let me explain, James. Mr. Emerson threat- ened " "No! no!" he interrupted, angrily, with a wave of his hand. "No more explanations ! no more lies ! The whole story is a pure invention agreed upon by you two in the event of my finding out that your lover was here " Pale with anger, Kathryn drew herself up to her full height. Tears came to her eyes and her bosom heaved convulsively with the pent-up emotion she was trying to control. She was hurt in everything 284 THE GAMBLERS a woman holds dearest. There are some accusa- tions so atrocious, so vile as to be unworthy of notice. This was one of them. In uttering those brutal words her husband had wantonly trampled on what she held most sacred her honor, her self- respect. That she would never forget or forgive. This was the very end of everything between them. He could go his way; she would go hers. Yet, even now, she was unwilling to have him believe her capable of wrongdoing. "My lover! No, good God! No, James, when I asked him not to take the letter that had been left for you he he acted honorably " Darwin left his seat and began to pace the floor. "Honorably!" he exclaimed, with a sneer. "Why, even according to your own story the man's a scoundrel and what a story! a common thief comes here to steal; you make no outcry, no effort to have him arrested. And when your servant comes to the door and finds it locked, you tell her it's all right that she can go and you expect me to sit down and calmly swallow this tissue of im- probabilities. He acted honorably, did he?" "It's true true before God, it's true!" Once 285 THE GAMBLERS more she forgot her dignity and implored him : "James spare him!" "Spare him, eh?" he echoed, cynically. "I guess not." Going quickly to the door, he opened it and called out, loudly: "Hicks, bring that fellow up here!" Kathryn, almost distracted, ran after him, trying to placate his anger, ready to agree to anything if only an unpleasant scene could be avoided. "I'll get the package," she cried, beseechingly. "I'll show you that I'm telling the truth." He paid no attention to her, but waited, grim and determined looking, for the coming of Wilbur. Kathryn, almost hysterical, blinded by her tears, staggered in the direction of her bedroom, sobbing: "He won't believe me! He won't believe me!" Darwin looked after her, a cynical smile of in- credulity on his lips. All this hysteria, all these tears, were lost on him. In spite of her denials, he felt instinctively that his wife did not love him. Their marriage had been a sham, a hollow mockery. She loved this thief whom she was trying so hard to shield. 286 THE GAMBLERS "Curse him!" he muttered to himself in an un- dertone. "He has robbed me of my wife, but he shall pay for it!" Suddenly a smile flashed across the gloom of his face. An idea had occurred to him. What more subtle or more fitting punishment than that Kathryn should prefer a charge of burglary against him the man she loved? The facts were there. She could not evade them. With a bitter laugh, he struck the desk vehemently and exclaimed with an oath: "I'll do it I'll do it! By God, I will!" As he spoke, the door opened and Wilbur en- tered, followed by Hicks. Another Central Office man remained discreetly in the rear. The attorney glared at Wilbur, who was now virtually a pris- oner, and was about to address him when Kathryn re-entered from her boudoir. In her hand was the blue envelope, which she kept concealed. She was about to speak, when Darwin silenced her with a look. Turning to the prisoner, he said, sternly : "Mr. Emerson, by your own confession you en- tered this house to-night with the object of stealing certain correspondence addressed to me " 287 THE GAMBLERS Wilbur protested. With a start of indignant sur- prise, he exclaimed: "You gave me your word of honor that my con- fession shouldn't be used against me!" "Word of honor to a thief doesn't obtain," sneered Darwin. "Apart from that, Mrs. Darwin has informed me that she is about to make a charge of burglary against you." Kathryn made a quick gesture of indignant protest. But her husband, taking no heed, proceeded: "She is the only wit- ness. If you are sent to prison as a common thief you will have the satisfaction of knowing that she sent you there." Turning to his wife, he added, savagely: "And you shall have the satisfaction of sending him there." Overwhelmed, not knowing what to do, power- less to interfere or intercede, Kathryn staggered to a chair. The room seemed to go round. Her hus- band's hard, unsympathetic voice sounded a great distance away. Wilbur bowed his head and said nothing. Darwin continued : "All this apart from the fact that the Federal case against you and your father will be pressed to the uttermost to the uttermost! The charge of 288 THE GAMBLERS from doing what I consider my duty. The letter is my property. Is it not addressed to me? How dare you withhold it? Do you wish me to include you in the same class as that unprincipled rogue who has just left here?" "I have not got it," she repeated. With a savage exclamation, he seized her hands and, while she struggled, felt for the envelope. To his amazement, it was not there. Clever as he thought himself, he had been outwitted. "Where is it?" he thundered, raising his hand with a threatening gesture. She thought he was about to strike her, but she did not care. She was so wrought up, so outraged in her feelings that she w'ould have welcomed any- thing so that the inevitable breach between them might be hastened. Breathless from the unequal struggle, her face white as death, her hair all di- shevelled, still defiant, she looked like some beau- tiful goddess in anger. Darwin looked at her in shamefaced fashion. He was sorry now that he had gone to such extremes. The package was not there. Perhaps she had found a way to pass it to him. Quickly he said : 293 THH GAMBLERS "If you've given it to him they'll find it on him when they search him at the police station. Now, please dress as quickly as possible and come with me." She stood still, making no attempt to obey his or- ders. Her face was white, her expression deter- mined. He looked up. "Did you hear What I said?" he repeated. "Go and get dressed." "I shall dress as quickly as possible," she replied, calmly. "But I am not going with you!" The attorney looked at her in surprise. "Where are you going?" 'he demanded. "Anywhere away from you!" "You're going to leave me?" he asked, uneasily. "Yes leave you!" she said, determinedly. Darwin advanced towards her, with hands out- stretched. In more conciliatory manner, he said: "Kathryn, now that this man is behind the bars, I am willing to in time, I may forgive "Forgive!" she cried, scornfully. "What is there to forgive? my sympathizing with my friends in their misfortune? Forgive you'll for- give, will you? Ah, I'm sick of your canting 294 THE GAMBLERS hypocrisy! You boast that you hate evil and evil- doers, and you are more evil than the very worst of the wretches you persecute, for you create pit- falls for them to stumble into ! You'll forgive, in- deed! If I am a bad woman will your forgiveness make me a good woman? If I am what you think I am, I don't deserve your forgiveness; if I'm not, I don't need it; in either case, I don't want it." "Will you appear against this man?" "Help you gratify your vengeance?" she cried. "No no no!" Darwin regarded her in silence for a moment. Then he said, sternly: "Your refusal is an admission of your guilt!" "All right!" she cried, in ringing tones of de- fiance, "then I'm guilty and I glory in my guilt, for at least it will unlock the doors of this prison and set me free free from all this impossible self- righteousness, this pose of holiness free from a man whose sole purpose in life is to avenge to punish to inflict pain on the poor fallen wretches who, when they struggle to rise out of the depths of their misfortune, are hurled back by the aveng- ing hand of James Darwin ! You have pronounced 2 95 THE GAMBLERS me guilty so be it I've lost my good name, my respectability, my honor, but the compensation is that I have lost you!" The next instant she was in her room and had locked the door in his face. 296 CHAPTER XVIII IT was a sorry looking lot of men who were gathered together the next morning in the library of the Emerson residence. Tooker, Raymond and Cowper had remained up most of the night, waiting for Wilbur's return, and as the hours wore on and he did not come, they became more and more anxious and appre^ hensive, fearing that the worst had happened and that any moment detectives might arrive with war- rants for their arrest. Cowper, who had seen Wil- bur last, could tell them nothing. His statements were vague and confusing. Wilbur, he said, had suddenly conceived an idea that he knew where the missing notes were. He had gone to get them, to make a last, desperate attempt to ward off the threatened blow. Where he had gone or with what probability of success, he did not know. They must have patience and wait for his return. The party was at an end. The last guest drove 297 THE GAMBLERS away, the butler extinguished the lights. Isabel and her father excused themselves and went to bed, but still the three men sat there, smoking in silence, waiting to know their fate. One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock struck, and still Wilbur did not come. The situation grew more critical, more serious every minute, and that both Tooker and Raymond fully realized the gravity of their predicament was plainly evidenced by their fre- quent journeys to the buffet. While they drank freely and often to drown uncomfortable prickings of conscience and the growing sense of dread, Cow- per sat apart, his head buried in his hands, marvel- ling within himself how he could have fallen so low as to play the despicable role of Judas. If the kindly Mr. Emerson to whom he was in- debted for many favors were disgraced, if Wil- bur and these men, his associates and friends, went to prison, he would be the cause. The very thought was maddening. He could not endure it. If re- pentance had come too late, if the harm done could not be undone, there was only one thing for him to do blow his brains out. At half-past three Tooker and Raymond de- 298 THE GAMBLERS clared they would not wait any longer. It was evident that something had happened to Wilbur. Probably he would come and communicate with them before the bank opened in the morning. It was useless to sit up. They would go home, take a nap, change their clothes and come back at nine o'clock. Cowper thought this a good suggestion, and a few minutes later all three men left the house together. The next morning the Emerson household was astir early. Mr. Emerson usually breakfasted at eight o'clock, but to-day he was up and about be- fore seven. The old gentleman had slept badly. What he had heard the previous evening was a terrible shock a startling revelation of the condi- tion of affairs at the bank as well as a blow to his pride. He blamed himself for giving his son so much authority. While he still had his health, he should, have retained full control. Not that he entertained any serious apprehension that matters could not be adjusted in a manner satisfactory to the banking department. His son had not really done wrong. At most, he was guilty of a tech- nical violation of the banking laws. The reputation 299 THE GAMBLERS which the Emerson Bank had enjoyed for years would surely stand for something. He would in- tercede with Mr. Darwin himself. If necessary, he would go to Washington and secure the support of influential friends. But first he must have a private talk with Wilbur. "Thomas," he said to the butler, who was pour- ing the coffee, "tell Mr. Wilbur I'd like him to come down to breakfast. Say I want to speak to him." The butler, an old and faithful family servant, looked uncomfortable. He was fond of his mas- ter and did not like to upset him. How could he tell him that Mr. Wilbur had not been home all night? While wondering how he could meet the dilemma, he passed the toast. "Never mind passing things," exclaimed the old banker, testily. "Didn't you hear what I told you ? Go and ask Mr. Wilbur to come down." The butler coughed and shuffled uneasily on his feet. Finally, unable to conceal the truth any longer, he stammered: "Yes sir but, I'm sorry, sir, Mr. Wilbur's not there, sir." 300 THE GAMBLERS The old man laid down his cup and looked up in blank astonishment. "Not there, Thomas ! You must be mistaken. It is only eight o'clock." "Yes, sir, but he's not in his room, sir. The bed is not disturbed. Mr. Wilbur has been away since last night." A look of alarm came over the banker's face. What was the meaning of this strange absence? Where could Wilbur be? Was it possible that, fearing trouble, he had gone away, intending to come back when things blew over? Or had he gone to the bank, to prepare for a possible run? Perhaps he would find him there. He would go at once and see. Rising hastily, he said: "Give me my hat and cane, Thomas. I'm going out. Don't say anything to Miss Isabel. I'll be back soon." He left the house, and the butler, with a shake of the head, expressive of strong disapproval of all these unaccustomed happenings in the usually quiet and staid Emerson home, went on with his work of removing the traces of the previous night's party. 301 GAMBLERS Promptly at nine o'clock the front door bell rang and George Cowper reappeared. Eagerly he asked : "Has Mr. Wilbur returned?" "No, sir, not yet." Going into the library, the director resumed the long, weary vigil, interrupted only a few hours be- fore, and very soon he was joined by Tooker and Raymond. Almost simultaneously they ejaculated: "Not here yet no word from him?" Cowper gloomily shook his head. "No, not a word." They sat down and waited, as they had sat the previous night, almost in the same position, wait- ing to hear what Wilbur had done about the notes. While Cowper sat at the window, gloomily look- ing out into the street, Tooker and Raymond were quarreling : "You can say what you like," growled Raymond, "I call it a d d suspicious circumstance." "I didn't say it wasn't," snapped Tooker. "What I said was this: Wilbur Emerson is a man of his word and if he said he'd be here, he'll be here." "But he isn't here, is he?" 302 THE GAMBLERS "There's a reason for it." "Of course, there's a reason," barked Raymond, savagely. "There's a reason for everything, but it may be a reason we won't approve of!" "The queer thing," said Tooker, scratching his head, "is that he told us to wait. He must have expected to return." Looking across the room at Covvper, he added : "He told you to wait, didn't he?" Cowper nodded. "Yes, and he told me to tell you to wait." "I give it up it's too much for me," declared Raymond, with an aggrieved air. "I don't know what to think," said Cowper. "Maybe we shan't see him again. Perhaps he's skipped," suggested Tooker. Cowper shook his head. "No, Wilbur's not the kind of man to desert us in trouble. If he's not here, it's because he couldn't help it." "Were you at the bank this morning?" inquired Raymond, suddenly. "Yes, he wasn't there; everything seemed the same as usual." 303 THE GAMBLERS "Of course," said Raymond, "the bank examiner hasn't made the matter public yet. The next move will be to arrest us." "That will look worse, won't it ?" said Tooker. "Oh, oh, if I'd only known!" said Cowper, wringing his hands. "It's Wilbur's fault all his fault. Why did he insist on our fighting the great big syndicates? He might have known they'd crush us to pieces." Going to the buffet, he poured out a glass of brandy. "For Heaven's sake, don't drink any more, Cow- per!" protested Raymond; "that's your fifth this morning." "A man's got to keep up his nerve," said Cowper, doggedly. Angrily, he went on: "A prison cell staring him in the face By God, I won't go ! I won't go ! I've done nothing and I'm not going to suffer for other people's ambition." "Take it easy, old man," interrupted Tooker, as he coolly lit a cigar. "It isn't as bad as all that. We've only committed the technical crime of bor- rowing over our capital. Lots of 'em do it it's only a Government bluff." Cowper, who listened eagerly, interrupted: 304 THE GAMBLERS "Darwin told me he can send us all up for five years at least five years good God! I couldn't stand it a week!" Both men stared at him. "Darwin? When did you see Darwin?" cried Raymond. Seeing that he had almost betrayed himself, CoW- per stammered: "I I met him he I met him " Before he could complete the sentence, old Mr. Emerson entered hurriedly. He gave a quick glance round the room, as if expecting to find his son sitting there. Not finding him, an expression of disappointment and worry came over his face. Nervously he said: "Good morning, gentlemen. Has anybody seen Wilbur? I've been unable to find any trace of him. He went out at eleven o'clock last night, and has not returned. Where is he? Do any of you know?" "We would like to know ourselves, Mr. Emer- son," said Raymond, dryly. "Have you had no word from your son, sir?" "None whatever," replied the old gentleman. 305 THE GAMBLERS "Do you think he's at the bank?" asked looker. : "No, I inquired," said Mr. Emerson, "he has not been there." "He may be on his way to South America," sug- gested Raymond sourly. Tooker gave his fellow director a nudge in the ribs. "Hush! Don't talk that way." Mr. Emerson shook his head. Sadly he said: "No. I fear something far more serious has hap- pened. I I I blame myself very much for this matter. I should not have allowed him to take the reins. I am the older man, and I allowed him to lead me the one mistake of a long business ca- reer. But I had such implicit confidence in his ability. Don't blame the poor boy." "I'm not blaming any one, except myself," said Tooker, grimly. "I went in with my eyes open. Wilbur's all right and the proof is, we can pay our depositors one hundred and fifty cents on the dollar. It was expansion that upset everything. It called the attention of the big sharks to us." "Where is Wilbur now?" chuckled Raymond. "Expansion looks to me more like contraction!" 306 THE GAMBLERS "Don't get peevish!" growled Tooker. Cowper, who had been listening in silence, could contain himself no longer. Abruptly he burst out: "I'll tell you where he is. He went to get our notes he found out they were at Darwin's house and he went to get them." "Get them how?" exclaimed Tooker, surprised "I don't know," replied Cowper, doggedly. ''Rubbish!" ejaculated Tooker. To steady his nerves, Cowper took another drink. Raymond looked at him with contempt. "You'd better stop drinking that stuff," he said. Mr. Emerson raised his hand, as if to pacify and conciliate the disputants. Forcing himself to ap- pear calm, he said: "Come no news is good news. We shall come out all right, I feel quite sure. Wilbur's motives were good it's the motives that count." "That's what I told Darwin," said Cowper. "He says it doesn't make a damn bit of difference about motives the law is the law." "Perfectly true trying to shift the blame off his son," growled Raymond. "It's the old story," chuckled Tooker, philosoph- 307 \ THE GAMBLERS ically, "if we'd succeeded we'd have patted our- selves on the back and called ourselves great busi- ness men but we failed and we're all trying to put the blame on the other fellow." "Please please, gentlemen." Mr. Emerson raised his voice. "I am not justifying my son. But I do believe the boy was honest in his intention and was driven to it by the unfair methods of our competitors." "I'd give every dollar I have to be out of it!" Cowper cried. "Every dollar every " Before he could finish the sentence, the door of the library was thrown roughly open and Wilbur entered. 308 CHAPTER XIX THE young banker still had on the dress coat and automobile duster which he had worn the evening before. His tie was awry and shirt bosom rumpled. His face was pale and showed traces of fatigue. A chorus of exclama- tions greeted him. "Well, here you are at last!" Mr. Emerson hastened to meet him. "Wilbur my boy where have you been?" "Gentlemen," said Wilbur, "I'm late very sorry but I was detained." "Detained?" echoed Cowper, incredulous. "As a matter of fact," went on Wilbur, "I slept last night at the police station, where I had been taker, on a charge of burglary." "Burglary!" exclaimed his father, in amazement. "Yes," went on his son. "I thought I saw a way out of our difficulties and I called at Darwin's house to try and arrange the affair. I got nothing 309 THE, GAMBLERS for my pains but a most uncomfortable night. This morning Mrs. Darwin refused to make a charge and the case was dismissed. The judge thought it was a practical joke. Fortunately, the newspaper men thought I was arrested for speed- ing and didn't recognize me." "Why didn't you send for me, my boy?" ex- claimed his father. "Wake you up in the middle of the night?" faughed Wilbur. "No, dad, I've brought quite enough trouble on you and I wanted to keep it out of the papers. Well, I know: this much : Darwin has our notes and a sworn statement of the trans- action involving us all." "A sworn statement?" ejaculated Raymond. "By whom?" exclaimed Tooker. Cowper, almost panic-stricken, quickly attracted Wilbur's attention and by a gesture made a plea for secrecy. "It will come out later," said Wilbur, calmly. "In the meantime, if possible, that statement must be contradicted denied withdrawn eh, Cowper ? What do you think? Can it be done?" "Yes yes I think so yes," replied Cowper. 310 THE GAMBLERS Raymond looked up. Quickly he asked : "Have you thought of a plan to to ?" "I have," said Wilbur. "Oh, last night's expe- rience wasn't entirely wasted. While awaiting my turn to appear before the magistrate this morning, I entered into conversation with a little police court lawyer a smart little fellow with a Russian ac- cent, who wanted to defend me for a ten-dollar bill. I put the whole case to him as a hypothetical question. Inside of ten minutes that little man solved the whole problem. It's so simple. I won- der I didn't think of it myself." "Let's have it," chuckled Tooker. Wilbur gave a quick, nervous glance round the room, as if to make sure that there were no eaves- droppers. Then he said: "You four men must apply for a warrant for my arrest. You must accuse me of making a mis- use of your notes. You gave them to me to raise money and, unknown to you, I borrowed our own funds. In my father's case that is an absolute fact." "A very good idea, if you can carry it through," chuckled Raymond, glad to hear of any plan which would exonerate himself. THE GAMBLERS "Yes, I think so," chimed in Cowper, eagerly. "I don't quite see " objected Tooker. "It doesn't seem right for us to accuse you." "Why not?" demanded Raymond. "No," said Tooker, positively. "I draw the line at making an accusation against you." Mr. Emerson, who until now had listened in silence, raised his hand in protest "I refuse, absolutely," he said, firmly. "I expected opposition from you, father," said Wilbur, "but " "If you are to be punished," went on Mr. Emerson, "let the proper authorities bring it about." "It is not a question of my punishment," said Wilbur, quickly, "but of diverting the responsibility from you, and it's the real inward truth. You none of you really knew what you were doing; I was the only one that realized " "That's true," said Raymond. "Yes yes," exclaimed Cowper. "I know," protested Tooker, "but it seems a horrible thing to do deliberately to to accuse you our own business associate " 312 THE GAMBLERS "I can't do it, and I won't do it," declared Mr. Emerson, decisively. "Nor I," exclaimed Tooker, firmly. Wilbur stared at them all in amazement. "Good God!" he cried. "What's the matter with you all? You agreed last night we played the game and I lost ! Are you going to rob me of the chance of paying my debts? I owe it to you I owe it to myself to square this account. You know, my life has been one constant gamble the feverish excitement of winning has warped my bet- ter nature." He stopped, and then with some show of better feeling, went on: "My life has been a failure this will make it a success. I don't want to pose as a martyr or any stuff of that sort, but I led you into this move and it's up to me to move you out. Come, act like men not children!" Mr. Emerson, pale and anxious, rose and ap- pealed to the other directors. With tremulous voice, he cried: "Gentlemen gentlemen, I am his father. I ap- peal to you don't don't let him " Gently Wilbur took his father in his arms and embraced him. 313 THE GAMBLERS "Don't, father please there's a good old fel- low don't don't " "It's my fault!" said Mr. Emerson, his eyes fill- ing with tears. "Now now!" protested his son. "You know better than that. Come, let's get down to brass tacks. I've written a letter to you all, defining my position and yours. Darwin will probably apply for bench warrants for the arrest of all of us to- day, but we must spike his guns by anticipating him ; so the sooner you have me arrested, the better. That undersized Russian-American citizen is a wise little fellow. Give me five minutes to change my clothes and jump into a tub and then- Pointing to his father, he added: "Now the matter's settled. Don't let him talk you over, boys." Mr. Emerson took his son by the arm. Coax- ingly, he said: "Now, listen, Wilbur. Listen to me, my boy. I'm the oldest; in the nature of things I haven't long to live, and it's my duty " "Nonsense, father," laughed Wilbur. "You're taking this too seriously." 314 THE GAMBLERS "No, I'm not," said the old banker, with some emotion. "I you're my own flesh and blood, and I can't I can't see you go! By God, you shan't go to prison! You shan't you " "Now, please please please!" cried Wilbur, struggling to get free. Embracing his father, he quickly disentangled himself and rushed out of the room. The old banker stood looking after him as if stunned. With a visible effort, he pulled himself together and, turning on his heel, walked out of the room with bowed head, shutting the door quietly behind him. The other directors had looked on in silence and there was a general sigh of relief as Mr. Emerson disappeared. "Oh, if only I had Wilbur Emerson's nature!" exclaimed Cowper, admiringly. "Nothing seems to phase him! It doesn't seem possible that one man can be so different to another. He's a man a man and I a and you're not much better either of you." "What's the matter, old man?" asked Tooker, looking at his fellow director curiously; "you're losing your nerve." 315 THE GAMBLERS "Never had any," admitted Cowper, shamefac- edly, "but I'm sorry God, I'm sorry! I'd give my life to get them back " "Get them back? Get what back?" demanded Tooker. "Our notes," said Cowper; "that damned affida- vit " "You're maudlin," exclaimed Raymond, con- temptuously. Cowper hung his head, dejectedly. "Yes, maudlin," he muttered, "that's it maud- lin. The hell I've lived in all this past week is enough to make any one maudlin." Tooker looked significantly at Raymond and was about to say something, when suddenly the door opened and Isabel Emerson appeared. Her man- ner was flurried and she looked hastily round, as if seeking some one. "Good morning, gentlemen," she said, with an amiable smile. "Is my brother here?" Cowper rose and shook hands. "No, Miss Emerson. Wilbur just left us." Pointing to the room on the right, he added: "I think he's in his room, attending to his toilet" 316 THE GAMBLERS Quickly Isabel went to the door of her brother's room and knocked. "Who's there?" called Wilbur's voice. "It's I, Wilbur," she said. "There's some one downstairs to see you. Open the door." "I'll be out in five minutes," replied the voice. "Five minutes!" exclaimed Isabel in dismay. At that moment the butler entered the room: "Breakfast is served for Mr. Wilbur, Miss " "Very well, Thomas." The man servant left the room and Isabel turned to the directors. With a smile, she said: "Father told me we are to have the pleasure of your company at luncheon so we expect you ._____" "Thanks," chuckled Tooker. "I shall be very glad to join you." "I just want a little coffee," growled Raymond. "I've had no breakfast." Anxious to get rid of them, in order that she could speak to Wilbur without restraint. Isabel pointed to the door leading to the stairs : "If you'll go down, gentlemen, I'll join you in the dining-room in a minute." 317 THE GAMBLERS Tooker and Raymond rose. "Come along, Cowper," said the former, leading the way. But Cowper did not rise. "Won't you join the others Mr. Cowper?" said Isabel, timidly. "No, thanks," replied Cowper, gloomily, and ap- parently quite oblivious to the fact that his pres- ence was undesirable. Tooker and Raymond disappeared and Isabel, growing more and more impatient, again ap- proached Wilbur's door. There was no time to be lost. Kathryn was downstairs and had asked to see her brother. Her manner was agitated and strange. She seemed all upset. It must be something very grave to bring her here so early in the morning. Quietly she knocked. "Wilbur! Wilbur!" No answer. She knocked louder. Still no answer. Finally she called out. "Wilbur, open the door. Kathryn is down- stairs. She wants to see you at once on a most important matter." THH GAMBLERS Cowper, who was listening, started hurriedly to his feet "Mrs. Darwin downstairs!" he exclaimed. "I'll tell Wilbur." Going quickly to the door, he shook the handle violently. Finally it was opened on the crack, and Wilbur's voice was heard exclaiming impatiently. "Whatever is the matter? Can't you let a fel- low dress?" Cowper pushed the door open and entered, clos- ing it behind him. 319 CHAPTER XX LEFT alone, Isabel waited impatiently for her brother to appear. Not only was she anx- ious to learn the reason of his strange ab- sence from home overnight, but there was this urgent message to give him from Kathr/n, who was waiting downstairs. The events of the last few days had made the banker's daughter terribly nervous, and her anxi- ety was all the worse because she had been kept entirely in the dark as to what was going on. Some peril threatened that was evident. The frequent going and coming of the bank directors, the mys- terious midnight conferences, her father's evident worry, Wilbur's unaccountable actions all these happenings told her that something was wrong. That the Darwins were in some way closely con- nected with the matter, whatever it was, she well knew. Wilbur had told her enough for her to un- derstand that something w&s amiss at the bank. 320 THB GAMBLERS That her brother had intentionally done anything wrong she did not for a moment believe. Possibly he had unwittingly committed some technical vio- lation of the banking laws, but she knew that Wil- bur had too high a sense of honor to be deliber- ately dishonest. All her life she had been Wilbur's staunch champion and now, when things looked darkest, her loyalty was still unshaken. Of course, she could not properly blame Mr. Darwin for pressing the investigation. It was true that he had known the family for years and that his wife was her best friend, but after all, he must live up to his oath of office. If anything was wrong, if a crime had been committed, it was his duty to present the matter to the Grand Jury, and if indictments followed, to press the case to the limit, regardless of friendships. At the same time, she was well aware of the unfriendly feelings which the district attorney entertained towards her brother, and it rather looked in the actual proceed- ings as if he were actuated by personal prejudice alone. How Kathryn should happen to be mixed up in the affair she was quite at a loss to understand, nor 321 THE GAMBLERS could she guess why at this early hour of the morn- ing the wjfe of the district attorney should be downstairs asking for an immediate interview with her brother. She wondered what it all meant. Often she had felt very sorry both for Kathryn and her brother. She knew that they cared for each other, yet fate had not willed that their lives should be spent in each other's company. Perhaps if Wilbur had married her, things would have been different. He might have been dissuaded from tak- ing such dangerous financial risks; engrossed in the woman he loved, he would have been a happier, more contented man. Kathryn assuredly would have been a happier woman. It was impossible to conceive how any woman could be contented or happy with a man of James Darwin's cold, un- sympathetic temperament. He might be very bril- liant, very intellectual, but as a cheerful, amiable companion he sadly missed his vocation. The tall clock in the corner ticked the minutes away and still Wilbur did not come. She could hear Cowper conversing with him in the other room and it seemed to her that her brother was responding in angry tones. Suddenly there \vaj 322 THE GAMBLERS an exclamation on the landing outside. Isabel turned and saw Kathryn. The attorney's wife, becomingly dressed in a clinging Paris green velvet gown, with black picture hat, advanced hastily into the room, closing the door carefully behind her. Nervously she said: "I couldn't wait downstairs any longer. My husband has followed me. I hear his voice in the hallway asking for me I don't want him to see me, and I scarcely need to tell you I have no desire to see him I never want to see him again. He's go- ing to bring a divorce suit!" Isabel started with surprise. She had no idea things had gone so far. Shaking her head dubi- ously, she exclaimed: "Divorce? is it as bad as that?" Kathryn nodded. Decisively, she said: "Yes, as bad as all that. It couldn't be helped. I am very glad. I couldn't stand it any longer. If he only keeps his word but I'm afraid he won't! Where's your brother?" Isabel looked at her friend in silence. Then after a pause, she said quietly : "Is is Wilbur the cause?" 323 THE GAMBLERS "The excuse not the cause. It's most impor- tant that I should see him alone. Where is he?" "He'll be here in a moment," replied Isabel. "Mr. Cowper has gone for him." Kathryn looked up quickly, a puzzled expression on her face. Drawing from her muff the letter con- taining the notes, she said: "Mr. Cowper!" she exclaimed. "Oh, yes so it was Mr. Cowper who left this communication for Mr. Darwin." "I don't know," said Isabel. "Yes," went on Kathryn, carelessly, "I remem- ber, it was Mr. Cowper. I heard Jim ask the girl if Mr. Cowper had left a package for him. Oh, Isabel! I'm distracted distracted I don't know what to do I don't know what I ought to do. This is for Mr. Darwin. I ought to give it to Mr. Darwin, but I I " "Is it his?" asked Isabel, quickly. "It is addressed to him. It will enable him to send a number of men to prison. I don't want him to have it I want to give it to to some one else." "But if it is addressed to Mr. Darwin, how can you, Kate, how can you?" 324 THE GAMBLERS "I don't know. But that's what I'm going to do. It's the first wrong I've ever done my husband the first the very first." "You will justify his conduct to you, Kate. Ah, don't do that." "I think if you knew, you wouldn't be quite so anxious. Has your brother told you nothing?" "No," she exclaimed, anxiously. "Why, is it connected with Wilbur ? Friends of his, perhaps ?" "Yes, friends of his." "Still, right is right; no argument can alter that." "You can argue against truth itself if it strikes at your own door. Supposing it were your brother and your father that Mr. Darwin was so anxious to send to prison. Would you give it to him then ?" "It wouldn't alter the fact that it was right to do so." "Then you would deliberately send them to prison without making an effort to save them? Would you send them to prison? Answer me that!" "Right is right!" "Yes, when you're deciding for others, but when you decide for yourself for your father your 325 THE GAMBLERS brother it's different. Your father's an old man, Isabel. All his life has been devoted to the good of others." "My father!" cried Isabel, anxiously. Kathryn looked around cautiously. "Your brother has led him into some big- specu- lation that ended disastrously. Shall we send them to prison? Shall we?" "My brother my father you don't really mean that? Oh, Kate Kate!" "Yes." "Kate!" "It's true," went on Kathryn. "Wilbur came to my house last night to get this and my husband found him there and accused me. It will save his father from prison, he says, so I kept it from Mr. Darwin and now right or wrong I intend to keep it from him." Isabel threw her arms around her friend's neck and, with emotion, cried: "God bless you, Kate. You're very good to us very good to us." As she spoke, the door opened and James Dar- win appeared. 326 CHAPTER XXI THE district attorney advanced boldly into the room. His manner was stern and de- fiant. Addressing Isabel, he said politely : "I ask your pardon, Miss Emerson, for inter- rupting what seems to be a very interesting con- versation, but I wish to speak to Mrs. Darwin alone." Kathryn held up a hand in protest. "Please don't go, Isabel," she exclaimed. Darwin looked gravely at his wife. Coldly, he said: "I wish to see you alone." "Is it absolutely necessary?" she demanded, haughtily. "Absolutely," he replied. Isabel withdrew quietly, without waiting for fur- ther argument, and husband and wife, left alone, faced each other in silence. The attorney was the first to break the ice. With a forced, unnatural 327 THE GAMBLERS calm that was even more irritating than a paroxysm of rage, he said: "You left my house early this morning. You've been here ever since. I've come for the letter Mr. Cowper brought to my house last night. As for the rest you can finish the remainder of your life here." More roughly, and raising his voice, he added: "Come, where is it?" She drew herself up. "I decline to discuss that matter any further," she said, coldly. "That's an evasion," he cried. "Where is it? Have you given it to Wilbur Emerson?" "No." "Positively?" "Positively no." "Where is it, then?" She made no answer, and he went on, his face white with anger: "You refuse to tell me? Now, Kathryn, I'll give you one last chance. If you will place that letter in my hands, I will drop the divorce proceed- ings. I'll believe just what you want me to believe in regard to Wilbur Emerson. In fact, I will ac- 328 THE GAMBLERS cept it as proof positive of your innocence. I will merely regard your conduct as the action of a fool- ish woman whose sympathies have been played upon by an emotional scoundrel but who has not sinned " "How do you know I have not sinned?" she de- manded, defiantly. "I don't know, nor do I say you haven't. I said I will accept the situation as it stands without in- quiring too deeply into it. At least, your willing- ness to help me punish these criminals will be evi- dence of your desire to to break with them." "Ah, I see!" she cried, scornfully, "you've thought it over. The disgrace the publicity of di- vorce may hurt you politically, it may impede your advancement ' ' Darwin winced under her sarcastic thrusts. Un-. easily, he said: "I don't deny that that aspect of the matter is to be considered. Divorce is a nasty business at best, but I will spare you if you do as I ask." "You don't believe in my innocence, but you are willing to forgive me not because you care for me, or wish to spare me, but because the candidate 329 THE GAMBLERS for attorney general must not have the blot of di- vorce on his escutcheon." "Something of the sort " "Well I refuse absolutely." "Then I shall commence divorce proceedings at once and, believe me you will not be spared. You can defend yourself in the civil courts about the same time your paramour is being sentenced to a long term of imprisonment in the criminal courts." With a gesture of impatience, she replied: "There will be no defence. I shall plead guilty." "Then you confess?" cried Darwin. Slowly, and looking him straight in the face, she answered : "James, I want my freedom and I'm willing to pay any price for it." The attorney was about to reply when the door of Wilbur's room opened and Cowper appeared. Seeing Darwin there, the director drew back. "Oh, I beg your pardon," he stammered. He was about to retire when Darwin called him. "Just a moment, Mr. Cowper. Don't run away." "I " stammered Cowper, nervously. "Don't be afraid," said Darwin, reassuringly. 330 THE GAMBLERS "I please remain here, Mrs. Darwin. This is the gentleman who left the communication at my house yesterday, addressed to me, I believe?" Cowper glanced at Kathryn, who shook her head significantly. He was quick to understand the sit- uation. "That letter," went on Darwin, "contained the original notes of the bank directors and Mr. Cow- per's own personal admission of the guilt of himself and his associates. Am I right?" Cowper looked at the attorney in surprise. "Why why, haven't you received it?" he ex- claimed. Again Kathryn shook her head. "Not yet," said the attorney, determinedly, "but I'm going to. I'm going to get it before I leave this house, Mr. Cowper for I'm convinced that it is here." "I wish to God it had never been written !" cried Cowper. Facing the attorney, angrily he went on : "You wormed it out of me ; it wasn't right. No, sir, those gentlemen never intended to wrong any one, Mr. Darwin. You worked on me until I consented to do as you asked. You made me betray them 331 THB GAMBLERS betray them just to save my own cowardly skin. I haven't had a moment's peace nor a wink of sleep since I did it, and I never shall. The hand that wrote it deserves to be cut off. I'll never forgive myself never never !" "Oh, yes, you will," smiled Darwin, grimly. "The moment the Grand Jury verdict comes out and your name is not included in the list of indicted men, you'll forget the means that freed you. You'll only know that you are free, and you'll shout for very joy! Liberty is sweet very sweet Mr. Cowper!" "Not when a rotten conscience goes with it," re- torted Cowper. "It's blood money." "Liberty is life, Mr. Cowper," interrupted Kathryn. "Then you you think I was right, Mrs. Dar- win?" said Cowper, eagerly. "It's not for me to judge," she replied. "I ex- pect to pay quite a price for my own liberty, Mr. Cowper, but I'm going to pay for it." "The price will be exacted to the uttermost far- thing," said Darwin, savagely, "you can depend on that. Am I to understand, Mr. Cowper, that 332 THE GAMBLERS you withdraw the confession you left at my house?" "Yes yes!'' exclaimed Cowper. "But I with- draw it that confession is a lie. Where is it?" "That is precisely what I intend to find out," said Darwin. "You haven't it, neither has the ser- vant to whom you delivered it. I haven't it, there- fore," turning to his wife, "I'm very much afraid, dear, that it looks like you." Turning to Cowper, he said: "Do you mind telling the man who is waiting outside for me that I wish to see him ? His name is Hicks. He's a secret service officer. You remember him he was at my office when you made your affidavit." "Yes I I remember," nodded Cowper. He left the room and Darwin crossed quickly over to where his wife stood. Angrily, he shouted : "You have it. You're waiting here to see Mr. Wilbur Emerson. He's in that room. I saw him when Cowper came in. By God, you'd rather be- tray your husband risk your honor good name every stitch on your back for the sake of this damned scoundrel who will be in State's prison in- 333 THE GAMBLERS side of twenty- four hours! Answer me, isn't it true?" "If it were," she retorted, defiantly, "do you suppose I'd tell you?" Darwin looked fixedly at her, trying to hypnotize her, to break her will, as he had done so many times before. That she had the package he felt sure. Equally positive was he that she had come to the Emerson house with the intention of sur- rendering the notes to Wilbur. Had she already done so, or was she watching her opportunity? That was for him to find out. Carelessly, as if desirous of putting an end to an interview which had grown distasteful, Kathryn moved away and, going over to the window, stood looking out upon the street. While the attorney, undecided as to what action to take, stood medi- tating, the door from the landing opened and Ser- geant Hicks of the Central Office entered. Quietly, he approached his employer. "You wish to speak to me, sir ?" Darwin pointed to the balcony which was out- side the window near where his wife was stand- ing. 334 THE GAMBLERS "Yes, sir. Watch this room. I'm almost posi- tive that Mrs. Darwin has Cowper's confession. If she attempts to give it to Emerson make it your business to get it understand? Don't give him time to destroy it!" "I understand, sir." The detective retired and Darwin resumed his attitude of silent meditation, his eyes meantime closely watching his wife, who still stood where she was looking out of the window. What was she waiting there for? he wondered. No doubt for Wilbur. She had not seen him yet, and was await- ing her opportunity when he left his room to give him the package containing the notes. Well, he was as clever as she was. He would let them fall into the trap. He would leave the room, but Hicks, stationed on the balcony, would be watching. Then, at the first sign of an attempt to transfer the pack- age, the detective would make a signal and he would rush in and catch them in the act. While he was thinking out this plan the bedroom door opened and Wilbur appeared. On seeing who was there the young man fell back in astonishment. He had expected to find 335 THE GAMBLERS Mrs. Darwin, because his sister said she was there waiting to see him, but it had never occurred to him that Mr. Darwin was also of the party. Unable to grasp the situation, he looked from one to the other. Finally he addressed the attorney. "Do you wish to see me ?" "No," replied Darwin. "My wife, I think, has something to say to you." Wilbur bowed and the attorney went on : "I'm rather afraid your little tete-a-tete was somewhat rudely interrupted last night." "Won't you sit down, Mr. Darwin?" said Wil- bur, pointing to a chair. "No, thank you, I prefer to stand," said the at- torney curtly. Wilbur turned to Kathryn. "Do you wish to see me, Mrs. Darwin?" Leaving her place at the window and ignoring her husband completely, Kathryn came forward, her face smiling, hands outstretched. Impulsively, she exclaimed : "Yes, Wilbur, I wish to discuss our plans for the future. Mr. Darwin is going to bring an action for divorce, and " 336 THE GAMBLERS The banker changed color. Starting forward, he exclaimed : "Good God! No no Darwin, you don't mean that?" "Horrible, isn't it?" retorted the attorney, with a cynical smile. "Yes by God, it is!" cried Wilbur indignantly. "Horrible, because it's undeserved vilely wick- edly unjust!" The attorney shrugged his shoulders. With a bitter laugh he said : "Let's drop this shallow pretence, Emerson. I know your sense of propriety is outraged, but don't overdo it. It occurs to me that I'm rather in the way. You may want to discuss your plans for the future I'll leave you alone together. You'll par- don my absence, I'm sure." 337 CHAPTER XXII KATHRYN and Wilbur faced each other in silence. At last all misunderstandings were cleared up, but was it not too late? What tragedies they had made of their lives! She was about to be subjected to the indignity of a divorce ; he was to undergo trial as a common male- factor. Yet, in spite of everything, their love had sur- vived the wreck. The world might blame them, but strong in the knowledge in their own hearts that they were innocent of wrongdoing, they looked for- ward serenely to the future. Why care for the verdict of others when they were secure in each other's love ? Now, perhaps for the first time, Kath- ryn realized the worth of this man from whom she had turned to marry James Darwin. Threatened with disgrace, imprisonment, a fate from which most men would have recoiled with terror, he was willing to go, head erect, to take his punishment. 338 WHEN YOU ARE FREE I SHALL BE THERE. Page 351. THE GAMBLERS He was not willing to let others, especially his old father, suffer when he was principally to blame. This, she murmured softly to herself, was a true hero, a man worthy of any woman's love. Neither spoke. Their hearts were too full for utterance. He could hardly believe the words that had escaped her lips. It seemed too good to be true. Kate divorced! Then, if she was free, it was possible that one day he might call her wife. With a smothered cry of exultation he sprang for- ward, as if to take her in his arms, but before he reached her, he stopped short. Much had to be done before he could think of his own happiness. His face flushed as he thought of the reckless manner in which he had compromised her the previous evening. No doubt he alone was responsible for her husband's anger and the threatened divorce suit. With outstretched hand, he exclaimed con- tritely : "What can I say, Mrs. Darwin? I'm I've brought this on you! I've brought disgrace and ruin on my father! The worst that could happen has happened Mr. Darwin won't believe us! He won't believe us!" 339 THE GAMBLERS "I don't wish him to believe us !" she said, laying her hand gently on his arm. "You don't wish ?" exclaimed Wilbur, as- tounded. "No!" she said quietly. "I've left him forever. I'm only too glad that he has some tangible reason for taking the initiative against me. Listen, I have Mr. Cowper's confession and the notes with me." Wilbur clasped her two hands in his. "Kate! Kate!" he cried. "I want to save your father you from prison." "You can save him, Kathryn, but you can't save me. We've done wrong one of us must pay the penalty. I've been the leading spirit among them I must be the one to pay the price. Oh, that point is already settled there's no chance for me to escape; but father you've saved him. All I want is Cowper's confession. How selfish I am I can think only of my own happiness I forget the sac- rifice you have made." "What sacrifice?" she demanded. "Your husband would have believed you last night if you had given him Cowper's letter." 340 THE GAMBLERS "I don't know," she replied; "perhaps I only know that I shall thank God every moment of my life that I didn't. The joy of freedom from that man is worth the petty pi ice of forfeiting the world's good opinion." Wilbur looked at her tenderly. "How am I going to pay the debt I owe you?" he asked. "I'm in your debt, Wilbur. You owe me noth- ing; besides, it's your father " "Only my father?" he asked significantly. She looked away. Gently she answered : "I don't know, I haven't asked myself. I won't let even the shadow of another man come into my mind until I cease to bear his name." Wilbur approached her. Tenderly he said: "Until and then ?" Wilbur approached her, and impulsively he took her hand and carried it to his lips. Gently he mur- mured : "Until and then?" Tenderly he drew her to him, and for one bliss- ful moment her head rested on his shoulder and he could feel her warm, fragrant breath on his 34i THE GAMBLERS cheek. Then, firmly, decisively, she drew away, but in her eyes was a light he had never seen. At last the ice of years was broken. He felt that this woman loved him and was ready to share his life with him. A hoarse cry of exultation sprang to his lips. Had he dared he would again have clasped her in his arms, but prudence counseled caution. Darwin was not far away; probably he was eavesdropping outside. His spies were everywhere. They must give him no excuse to prejudice her case. It was enough for the present that they understood each other, that at last he was free to look in her eyes and tell her silently that he loved her. Now he did not care what happened. He was ready to undergo any ordeal, prison, death itself now that he knew that she loved him. For a moment he was assailed by a great tempta- tion. Why should he be robbed of this happiness, now it was within his grasp? Why should he stay in New York to undergo the disgrace, the humilia- tion of court proceedings and imprisonment, when they could both go away, flee to some other coun- try, and be happy under an assumed name? 342 THB GAMBLERS "Kate," he said hurriedly, "what sacrifice would you be willing to make for the man you loved?" She looked at him, as if trying to divine his meaning. "What do you mean?" she demanded. Quickly he put it before her. "Why should I go through the ignominy of this trial incur the risk of a prison term? I have tried to appear brave, to make light of it, but the thought of what it all means appalls me. Why couldn't I escape it all by slipping away? They'd talk about it for a week, then they'd forget. We could go abroad and " Kathryn put up her little gloved hand to stop him. Shaking her head, she said : "Don't, Wilbur; it is not like you to talk like that. Even if I consented to it, you yourself would not go." "Why not?" he demanded. Laying her hand gently on his, she went on : "Because no happiness can come of wrong-doing. It would be wrong to leave your father and sister to face the storm alone." He hung his head shamefacedly. 343 THE GAMBLERS "Forgive me," he murmured. "You are nobler than I." Slowly he went on: "Yes, I must go through with this thing, even if it is only to shield my father and the good name of the Emerson Bank. No one shall say I shirked my duty or refused to take my punishment. I alone will suf- fer. If I can destroy the notes and Cowper's con- fession the others will go free. Did you bring the package?" With a cautious glance at the closed door, she replied hurriedly: "Yes, the envelope is in my muff. I've been waiting for an opportunity to give it to you. My husband suspects I have it, and he followed me here. He is watching my every move." "Give it to me quick!" he said. Kathryn's hand went to her muff, when suddenly he stopped her with a whisper. "Hush ! There's some one on the balcony. I saw a shadow there Careful careful don't look." "Yes," she said in the same tone. "He knew I had that confession he knew I was waiting to give it to you and he left us alone on purpose to catch us. What am I to do?" 344 THE GAMBLERS Wilbur turned and carelessly lighted a cigar. Without looking round, he whispered : "Wait a moment don't touch the paper. Go to the mantel and rest your hand with your muff on it for a moment. While you are doing this, drop the package on the mantel shelf. Turn away from the window, so that you can't be seen. Tell me when it's done." Kathryn sauntered towards the fireplace, and un- der the pretence of warming her feet, rested her hand covered by the muff on the mantel shelf. Then quickly she let the envelope drop out. This done, she walked carelessly back. "It's there," she whispered as she passed him. Wilbur walked slowly to the mantel. Quietly he said : "Now go towards the table and sit down. I see it there it is God bless you, Kathryn! You've saved an old man from degradation you've saved me from purgatory." Ringing the bell, he added: "I can go to prison singing, now. You know, Kathryn, I feel that what I am going to do is a greater victory than gaining the control of many banks." 345 THE GAMBLERS "It is, Wilbur," she replied earnestly. "For the first time in your life you'll be truly happy." The butler answered the ring. "Thomas,'' said the banker, "ask Mr. Darwin to come here, and please tell my father and the other gentlemen in the dining room that I'm waiting for them." "There are two men downstairs, sir. Mr. Dar- win said they were waiting for you." "So they are," replied Wilbur grimly. "Let them wait." "Yes, sir." Wilbur turned to Kathryn. His voice trem- bling from the emotion he was trying vainly to conceal, he said: "Those two men are Central Office detectives. They are going to take me away, Kathryn. It may be a long time before I see you again." She looked away, not willing to let him see that her eyes were filled with scalding tears, scarcely able to bring herself to speak. "A long time?" she stammered in broken tones. "A few years, perhaps." "We'll try to bear it, Wilbur." 346 THE GAMBLERS Before he could say anything more the door was flung open and James Darwin entered, followed by Mr. Emerson, Sr., and all the directors of the Emerson Bank. The district attorney bowed coldly : "You sent for me, Mr. Emerson?" "Yes, Mr. Darwin. I have something to say to you as district attorney of this county, and I wish to say it in presence of my father and fellow directors. In view of the fact that you are con- cerned in the Federal case against me, you will be interested to know that I have made a full confes- sion to my business associates, and they have de- cided to formulate charges against me for for misappropriation of funds misusing notes en- trusted to me by them." Holding out a paper he added: "You'll find it all in this statement." Going to the mantelpiece, he took the blue envel- ope and held it out. Still addressing Darwin, he said : "And here here are the notes. It is ad- dressed to you, Mr. Darwin by Mr. Cowper Cowper, will you see if you intended Mr. Darwin to have this " Before the attorney could interfere he had 347 THE GAMBLERS handed the envelope to Cowper, who quickly opened it. "Yes." exclaimed Cowper, "this is " "He won't need your statement." said Wilbur positively, "now he has mine." "I need both both !" exclaimed Darwin hotly. "You can tear it up," said Wilbur quickly to Cowper. "Tear it up!" "Yes yes !" said Cowper, suiting action to word. The next instant the notes, torn into a thousand fragments, were scattered all over the floor. Dar- win and Sergeant Hicks made a motion as if about to pick up the pieces, but, by a quick movement, Wilbur forestalled them. Grasping them up in one handful, he threw the pieces of paper on to the fire. "Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Darwin," said Wil- bur coolly. Then, turning to the butler, he added : "Thomas, tell the men I'm ready." Mr. Emerson stepped forward. He did not un- derstand what his son's speech meant. He only knew that he had accused himself of an act of which he was not guilty, with the foolish, quixotic 348 THE GAMBLERS idea of sparing his associates. He would not permit it. His voice shaking from emotion, he said: "I desire to say that I do not concur my son is not is not to blame Wilbur !" "Father! Father!" exclaimed Wilbur. Quickly turning to Covvper he whispered : "Get him away or he'll spoil everything." Gently, persuasively, Cowper coaxed the old banker into allowing himself to be led into the adjoining room. With a sigh of relief Wilbur turned to the others : "That will be all, gentlemen!" he said. Raymond looked at Tooker. "He's kept his word d d handsomely." "Yes," growled Tooker, "he makes me feel like a welcher!" Not knowing how to express their gratitude, the two cronies pressed Wilbur's hand in silence and left the room. Wilbur looked at the district attorney, who with a puzzled expression on his face, was busy examining the paper which had been handed to him. Coldly he said : 349 THE GAMBLERS "I think that's all, Mr. Darwin. I won't detain you any longer." The attorney glared at him. He knew that in some way he had been outwitted, but at least he still had in his power the man he hated. Between his teeth he muttered : "I don't quite know what to make of you, Em- erson. This apparently puts all the responsibility on you. You've anticipated Federal action and to some extent weakened my hand. But you're not looking for sympathy, are you? You don't expect to get off scot free?" "Hardly," smiled Wilbur. "I'm glad of that," snapped Darwin, "because you won't !" Turning to his detective, he added : "Hicks, see that your men take him to police head- quarters, and notify me when he's locked up." He was about to go, when he noticed his wife standing in the embrasure of the window, where she had -been a silent spectator of the proceedings. Coldly he addressed her: "Are you coming, Mrs. Darwin?" Kathryn drew herself up haughtily. "No," she replied curtly. 350 THE GAMBLERS The attorney bowed to them both and left the room. Wilbur looked at Sergeant Hicks, who stood waiting. "Just a moment, sergeant, and I'll be with - "Very good, sir." The man discreetly **' threshold of the re- Wilbur tu- to him ar crying troll' POPULAR BOOKS BY ARTHUR HORNBLOW John Marsh's Millions Rfth Large Edition a young girl, heiress to millions, to protect her rights. ' dramatic situations." St. Louis Post-DispaUh. 70th Thousand -eat play. 'itions in the and fa A 000106925 1