What was the fellow’s real reason? Merriwell hoped to discover before the evening was over. He seemed to take interest in the play first at one table and then at another, but finally settled on the one at which Darleton was seated.
As usual, Darleton was winning. He had a lot of chips stacked up before him.
“Why did you drop your hand after opening that last jack pot, Darleton?” inquired one of the players.
“Because I was satisfied that you had me beaten,” was the answer.
“You had two pairs to open on, and you drew only one card.”
“What of that?”
“I took three cards.”
“I remember.”
“Well, you wouldn’t bet your two pairs, and I raked in the pot. How did it happen?”
“I decided that you bettered your hand. My pairs were small.”