"As I said, I've thought it all out and it's a great proposition.

Here's the game: I'm going to run straight." For a moment all three sat astounded by this quiet statement from their leader.

Nothing he might have said could have been more unexpected, more stupefying.

The Duchess alone moved; she turned her head and held her sunken eyes upon her grandson.
Simultaneously the two men and Maggie stood up.
"The hell you say!" grated Barney Palmer.
"Larry, you gone crazy ?" cried Old Jimmie.
Maggie moved a pace nearer him.

"Going to go straight ?" she asked incredulously.
"Listen, all of you," Larry said quietly.