"Yes, I suppose I shall," said Randolph, in a consequential tone.
"And it is worth something to me to have my saloon patronized by a young gentleman of your social standing."
Evidently, Tony Denton understood Randolph's weak point, and played on it skillfully. He assumed an air of extra consequence, as he remarked condescendingly: "You are very obliging, Tony, and I shall not forget it."
Tony Denton laughed in his sleeve at the boy's vanity, but his manner was very respectful, and Randolph looked upon him as an humble friend and admirer.
"He is a sensible man, Tony; he understands what is due to my position," he said to himself.
After Denton's visit to New York with Prince Duncan, and the knowledge which he then acquired about the president of the Groveton Bank, he decided that the time had come to cut short Randolph's credit with him. The day of reckoning always comes in such cases, as I hope my young friends will fully understand. Debt is much more easily contracted than liquidated, and this Randolph found to his cost.
One morning he was about to start on a game of billiards, when Tony Denton called him aside.
"I would like to speak a word to you, Mr. Duncan," he said smoothly.
"All right, Tony," said Randolph, in a patronizing tone. "What can I do for you?"
"My rent comes due to-morrow, Mr. Duncan, and I should be glad if you would pay me a part of your account. It has been running some time—"