Lucas led the way, from the Fifth Avenue to Broadway, and down Broadway to a “hell;” one of those snug little establishments in an off-street, with supper set out, to be eaten only by the initiated.
Swinton became one of them. Lucas had reasons for introducing him. His reflections were:
“This Englishman appears to have money—more than he knows what to do with. But he didn’t drop any of it in Newport. On the contrary, he must have increased his capital by the plucking of certain pigeons to whom I introduced him. I’m curious to see how he’ll get along with the hawks. He’s among them now.”
The introducer of Swinton had an additional reflection suggested by the remembrance of Julia Girdwood.
“I hope they’ll get his dollars—clear him out, the cur—and serve him right too. I believe he’s a devilish schemer.” The wish had jealousy for its basis.
Before the gambler proclaimed his bank closed for the night, the false friend saw the realisation of his hopes.
Despite his customary astuteness, the ex-guardsman was not cunning in his cups. The free supper, with its cheap champagne, had reduced him to a condition of innocence resembling the pigeons he was so fain to pluck, and he left the hawks’ nest without a dollar in his pocket!
Lucas lent him one to pay for the hack that carried him to his hotel; and thus the two parted!