He had long since abandoned his work at the paint-shop, but at this time he returned there and asked for his old occupation.

They laughed in his face.

Was that the way he thought they did business?
Not much; another man had his job, a much better man and one who was regular, who could be depended on.

That same evening Vandover broke his twenty dollars and became very drunk.

A game of poker was started in a back room of one of the saloons on the Barbary Coast.