Jude, who had collapsed sitting-wise on the deck, began to laugh hysterically.
“What are you laughin’ at?” demanded Satan.
“I dunno,” said Jude.
CHAPTER XXXIV
“I’LL TAK!”
Ten minutes later Satan and Ratcliffe boarded the Juan. Cleary was already on board, down in the cabin with the others; Cark and a bottle of gin were presiding at one end of the table. Satan, with a nod to the company, came to the table and took his seat; motioning Ratcliffe to take the seat opposite to him.
It was like a meeting of a board of directors, and the table just held the six comfortably.
What followed struck the unaccustomed Ratcliffe with astonishment,—the amiability of it,—it might have been a card party, with Satan the loser—momentarily.
“Well, gentlemen,” said Satan, “what’s to pay?”