"How much ?" he asked, with an affectation of carelessness.
The barkeeper cast his eye professionally over the barroom.

"I think you said treats for the crowd; call it twenty dollars to make even change." Clarence's heart sank.

He had heard already of the exaggeration of California prices.

Twenty dollars! It was half his fortune.
Nevertheless, with an heroic effort, he controlled himself, and with slightly nervous fingers counted out the money.

It struck him, however, as curious, not to say ungentlemanly, that the bystanders craned their necks over his shoulder to look at the contents of his purse, although some slight explanation was offered by the tall man.
"The Commodore's purse, gentlemen, is really a singular one.