“Say no more, Carl! You are a true friend. I will try to follow your advice. Give me your hand.”
Carl did so, and felt a warm glow of pleasure at the thought that perhaps he had redeemed his companion from a fascinating vice.
“I really wish I had a sensible boy like you to be my constant companion. I should feel safer.”
“Do you really have such a passion for gambling, then?”
“Yes; if at the hotel to-night I should see a party playing poker, I could not resist joining them. Odd, isn’t it?”
“I am glad I have no such temptation.”
“Yes, you are lucky. By the way, how much money have you about you?”
“Five dollars.”
“Then you can do me a favor. I have a ten-dollar bill, which I need to get me home. Now, I would like to have you keep a part of it for me till I go away in the morning. Give me your five, and I will hand you ten. Out of that you can pay my hotel bill and hand me the balance due me in the morning.”
“If you really wish me to do so.”