“I only wish an allowance of two dollars a week. Father will only give me half of it, and mother makes up the rest. So it would take five weeks to pay you, and leave me without a cent to spend.”
“Probably you won’t have to pay it at all. You may win it all back to-day.”
Thus encouraged, Philip began to play, but was as unlucky as usual. He rose from the table owing Congreve five dollars more than when he sat down. “Just my luck!” ejaculated Philip, with a long face. “Just look up the account and let me know what it all amounts to.”
Congreve made a little calculation, and announced, in apparent surprise, that Philip owed him twenty-two dollars.
“It can’t be!” ejaculated Philip, in dismay.
“There’s no doubt about it,” said Congreve. “However, don’t trouble yourself about it. I can wait. And now for your affair with this Gilbert boy. I’ve got an idea that I may prove serviceable to you.”
During the next fifteen minutes a wicked plot was devised, of which it was intended that Harry should be the victim. The particulars must be reserved for the next chapter.
CHAPTER XII — AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION
“Come here, will you!”