“Five hundred dollars,” he repeated slowly.
“Yes,” was the reply, “then your sister, who is so ill, may receive the proper medical attention.”
“How do you know of my sick sister?” asked Jimmy in surprise.
“Oh, we know many things,” was the reply. “For instance, we know that your employer is paying you very little, because he hasn’t anything to pay you with. He has lost practically everything playing the races.”
“Yes,” said Jimmy, “that is true. He told me that everything depended upon Gabriel’s winning the Derby.”
“But if Gabriel did win,” protested the stranger, “what would you get? Not much; and here I am offering you five hundred dollars!”
“But you are asking me to be a traitor to my trust,” said Jimmy.
“Not at all. I am simply showing you how to make the money you so badly need. Come, what do you say?”
“I don’t know,” said Jimmy slowly. “I don’t know.”
“Here,” said the strange voice after a pause, “is my card. I shall give you a week to consider. Write me at this address, and I will tell you where you can meet me, and we will have another talk. You will surely do that, won’t you?”