Nick simply dodged his head this time, and striking before the other could resume his guard, laid his opponent senseless on the floor.
CHAPTER II.
A LITTLE CIRCUS.
The knockdown created very little excitement in the room.
Reports from the races were coming in every few minutes, and nearly every one there had more or less money at stake.
A few collected about the fallen man, however, and Nick had no difficulty in slipping quietly out of the way.
He had no idea, however, of leaving the place.
His bet had started a little ripple of talk regarding Denver Bay, and he knew that by remaining he might hear something to his advantage.
At the end of the basement farthest from the street were a number of stalls used by sporting men and others for private consultation.
As the crowd was now congregated around the main desk in front many of these stalls were empty.
Nick stepped noiselessly into one of them, and closed the door.[{12}]