Cobb did the honors of his house, and soon all three were quietly sitting, and sending clouds of smoke airily toward the ceiling.
“Any news at the club?” inquired Cobb of Craft.
“Nothing out of the usual run. Dilly, the young one from the Point, and the others are working hard at a game of cinch.”
“A good night for a quiet game, or for a quiet chat, too,” said Hathaway.
“Yes,” said Cobb; “but would you rather play cinch to remaining here and listening to what I have to say?”
“Oh, no, my dear boy; excuse us. I left them all in their glory, and hunted up Craft, that we might the sooner get here, for I have no doubt that you have some remarkable disclosures to make to-night.”
“You are right; I have—and some that will probably strike you as being the most fanciful and, perhaps, untenable, you have ever heard,” returned the other, looking his two listeners in the eye.
“Let that be seen in the future,” they both exclaimed.
“What is your pay?” abruptly asked Cobb, after a moment’s silence.
“You ought to know—$1,500 a year.”