That evening Clarence had risked his whole mouth's salary at faro, and lost.
Hence his despair and agitation were fully accounted for.
"What do you want of me?" asked Clarence.
"My money."
"What will you take for the notes?"
"Double their face-value, and then I'll hand them over to anybody."
Mr. Smith stepped forward and bowed politely.
"Pardon me," said he. "Did I understand you to say that you are anxious to sell some notes?"
"Oh! it's you, Mr. Smith," replied Markham. "If you've got six thousand dollars to throw away on security which is only worth three, we can deal. I want to go to Sacramento to-morrow, and I'll sell out."
"I have overheard the entire conversation," said Mr. Smith, "and I sincerely commiserate this young man, who has fallen into the hands of a sharper!"