There was a catch in his voice and a pallor in his face.
"I didn't say that." Gilmore's chair resounded noisily on the floor as he came to his feet.
He strode to the lawyer's side.
"Then what in hell _do_ you say ?" he stormed.
In spite of himself Langham quailed before the gambler's fury.
"Oh, keep still, Andy! What a nasty-tempered beast you are!" he said pacifically.
There was a pause, and Gilmore resumed his chair, turning to the window to hide his emotion; then slowly his scowling glance came back to Langham.
"He said I was a common card-sharp, eh ?" Langham knew that he spoke of North.

"Damn him! What does he call himself ?" He threw the stub of his cigar from him across the room.

"Marsh, what does your wife know about me ?" And again there was the catch to his voice.
Langham looked at him in astonishment.
"Know about you--my wife--nothing," he said slowly.
"I suppose she's heard my name ?" inquired the gambler.
"No doubt." "Thinks I rob you at cards, eh ?" But Langham made no answer to this.
"Thinks I take your money away from you," continued the gambler.

"And it's your game to let her think that! I wonder what she'd think if she knew the account stood the other way about?
I've been a handy sort of a friend, haven't I, Marsh?
The sort you could use,--and you have used me up to the limit! I've been good enough to borrow money from, but not good enough to take home--" "Oh, come, Andy, what's the use," placated Langham.

"I'm sorry if your feelings are hurt." "It's time you and I had a settlement, Marsh.