“I am not a gentleman of leisure, although I occasionally take time to enjoy myself. When I work, I work hard; when I play, I play just as hard. I have been playing lately, but the end is near. I thank you, professor, for your interest in me and your offer; but I cannot accept.”
“Eet is a shame so great a fencer is lost to ze world,” sighed the Frenchman. “Steel, sare, if you evaire have cause to defend your life in a duel, I theenk you will be successful.”
Nearly an hour later Morton and Merriwell entered the card room of the club—not the general card room, but the one where games were played for stakes.
Two games were in progress. Several of the players had met Frank the night before, and they greeted him pleasantly.
Among the few spectators was Fred Darleton.
“I observe Darleton is not playing,” said Frank, in a low tone, to his companion.
“He never plays in the daytime,” answered Morton.
“Never in the daytime?”
“No.”
“But he does play at night?”