"Oh, I was going to—to warn you—that's all. It—it's liable to be a pretty—stiff game. I thought it would be a—good thing for you to—keep out of it. It started—light, but it's working—up—right along. Almost any time somebody is liable to—to propose throwing off the—the limit, and then somebody is going to get—hurt. If you are—not in it, why you won't be in any—danger."
There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and then at each other.
What did it mean?
If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it in a queer manner.
"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"
"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.
"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look pleasant, but making a dismal failure. "I—I dont' like to see respectable young men caught in a—trap. That's all. Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that you would—thank me. Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll—be going."
He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more, opened the door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and went out.