Then, sitting down, he snatched up a pen, and writing on a slip of paper--"Due Andrew Carlton $20," signed it with his name.
Carlton saw every letter and word as they left the pen, and ere the last flourish was made to the signature, had selected four five-dollar bills from the pile beside him.

Simultaneously with the motion of Wilkinson's hand, in pushing to him this memorandum of debt, was the motion of his hand in furnishing the sum required.
"Not the man to be frightened at a little adverse fortune, I see," remarked the cunning tempter.

"Well, I do like a man who never can acknowledge himself beaten.

The timid and easily discouraged are soon left far behind in the world's race--and they deserve to be." Wilkinson did not reply.

Another deal was made, and again the two men bent over the table in their unequal contest.
In less than half an hour, the money obtained from Carlton had gone back to him.
By this time twilight had fallen.
"Nearly eight o'clock, as I live!" muttered Wilkinson.