“Getting in right — and staying in right.”
“Very good,” chuckled Marmosa. “You understand. Barutti did well to send you here.
“Well, Vincent, I am in right; and I stay in right. When they say to me: ‘Frank, you must give us a rake-off,’ I smile, and I pay it. When some one else says: ‘Frank, you must give us a rake-off,’ I smile again.
“I pay to those who are big. They keep away those who are little. You understand? I am in right. You will be in right, too.”
The big man stared steadily at Harry Vincent. The young man met his gaze. Finally, Marmosa grinned again, and extended his hand. Harry shook it, and with that action, he realized that he was entering a new career. He had blindly made a bargain with Frank Marmosa.
“You are all right, young fellow,” said the big man assuringly. “You will work for me, eh? Good. Come along. I will show you something that will surprise you.”
HE rose and opened the door. Harry followed him along the soft carpet of the balcony. Frank Marmosa pressed a hidden spot in the wall, behind a shielding pillar, and a partition slid noiselessly aside.
The two men entered a spacious room, evidently built over the kitchen of the restaurant. The place was a glittering den of gambling.
In the center stood two roulette wheels, along the sides were faro tables, while card tables in the corners invited the play of those who preferred poker.
There was a short mahogany bar in the far corner of the room. Its brass rail shone like gold, and behind it stood a man in a white coat, polishing glasses.