For the first time since the real gambling began they commenced to talk a little, but in short, brief sentences, answering by monosyllables and by signs.
"How much for the bank ?" inquired Ellis, holding up the deck and looking from one to the other.

Instantly the Dummy wrote ten dollars, in figures, on his pad, and showed it to him.

Vandover looked at what the Dummy had written, and said: "Fifteen." "Twenty," scribbled the Dummy, as he watched Vandover's lips form the word.
"Twenty-five," returned Vandover.

The Dummy hesitated a moment and then wrote "thirty." Ellis shook his head saying, "I'll keep the bank myself at that." "Forty dollars!" cried Vandover.

The Dummy shook his head, leaning back in his chair.