It was the willowy figure of his old friend, Dr. Jennings.
Jennings’ face lighted with pleased surprise as he recognized Mart inside the doorway of the Volcano Club.
“Welcome to our establishment,” said Mart, grinning. “I didn’t know you went in for connivance with lady luck and the wheel of fortune. It’s a pleasure to see you here, anyway.”
“Nor I, you,” said Jennings wryly. “I didn’t see Baird’s piece until it was called to my attention several days later. By that time, Roy here was pulling my coat tails and demanding I come and see what you were up to. By the way, have you met Roy yet? He said he spent a day here, but didn’t make himself known.”
Mart beckoned to Berk, and they turned to the man they had watched lose his money two days before.
“Dr. Roy Goodman, of AEC,” said Jennings. “He, too, is not a gambling man, and he tells me you have formed in him a firm conviction to stay that way the rest of his life.”
Mart took Dr. Goodman’s hand. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I almost asked you to leave the other day. Some people have it and some don’t. If you don’t, you might as well let the ponies and bingo tables alone.
“And the Volcanoes?” said Goodman.
“And the Volcanoes. They won’t do you any good, either.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” said Goodman. “I was so unsure of it that I went all the way to Los Angeles and brought Dr. Jennings back to help verify my opinion.”