Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/155

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Success and Failure
133
Passage, $130
Incidentals on voyage 20
Clothing for himself, 200
Clothing for Cecily, 200
One month’s rent, 45
{{{1}}} {{{1}}} board, 120
{{{1}}} {{{1}}} incidentals, 150
———
Total, $865


“You see, he hadn’t enough to run him a month—and he’s been here nearly twice that long. Besides, that estimate is much too low—for it’s evident that he’s an extravagant liver. He’s been moving in expensive company and has, of course, been keeping up his end. Then, too, I don’t doubt that he provided for Thompson—gave him enough money, anyway, to keep drunk on—that’s the only way to explain Thompson’s taking an apartment like that. I should say that fifteen hundred dollars would be a low estimate for the two months. Of course, he had to get all his clothing new—Martinique clothing wouldn’t do for March New York.”

“All of which indicates,” I said, “either that he had other resources or that he’s received some money—a thousand dollars, at least—since he’s been here.”

“Precisely—and I incline to the latter theory. He’s working some sort of tremendous bunco game. He’s playing for big stakes. He’s not the man to play for little ones.”

“No,” I assented, “he’s not,” and we fell silent while the waiter removed the dishes.

Over the cigars, afterwards, neither of us said much; we were both, I think, trying to find some ray of light