his study, and the boys soon had it cleared for ac¬ tion. Allen tossed the cards upon the table, pro¬ duced several ash-trays, and then carefully locked the door.
“Keep an ear open for Mac,” he admonished his friends. “He ’s warned me twice now.” “Mac” svas the night-watchman, and he had a way of drop¬ ping in unexpectedly on gambling parties. “Here ire the chips. You count ’em out, George. Two3it limit.”
The boys drew up chairs to the table, lighted
- igarettes or pipes, and began the game. Hugh had
Deen right; the “two-bit limit” was soon lifted, ind Allen urged his guests to go as far as they iked.
There were ugly rumors about Allen around the
- ampus. He was good looking, belonged to a fra:ernity in high standing, wore excellent clothes, and
lid fairly well in his studies; but the rumors per¬ sisted. There were students who insisted that he lad n’t the conscience of a snake, and a good many of them hinted that no honest man ever had such ronsistently good luck at cards and dice.
The other boys soon got heated and talkative, Out Allen said little besides announcing his bids, fiis blue eyes remained coldly expressionless whether he won or lost the hand; his crisp, curly brown hair remained neatly combed and untouched by a nervous land; his lips parted occasionally in a quiet smile:
