CHAPTER XXXIV.
A TROUBLED MIND.
Ephraim found that Casper Silence was very much in earnest. There was no bluff about the man's proposal to bet ten thousand dollars, and Gallup was not the sort of chap to back down after making such talk.
Naturally the cashier at the bank looked surprised when Gallup asked for a bank check in exchange for his own check, drawn for the full amount of his deposit. Mr. Casin, however, did not ask questions, but made out the bank check and passed it to Ephraim.
In the presence of witnesses this check was placed in the hands of Fred Priley to cover the ten thousand dollars posted by Silence.
Casper Silence took pains to examine the bank check, over which he nodded and smiled, returning it to Priley.
"That's all right, I fancy," he said. "It ought to be as good as gold coin."
Then he turned to Ephraim with pretended admiration.
"Young man, you've got genuine sporting blood," he said. "You've got nerve. I can't help admiring your nerve, although I fear your judgment is rather poor. I hope you won't feel the loss of that little sum, in case you do lose it, which you certainly will."