The broker passed up the stairs, and Nick stood in a neighboring doorway carelessly smoking a cigar.
In a few moments the broker reap[{32}]peared, and was about to approach the spot where Nick stood when a quick motion informed him that he was to pass on without recognition.
“Did he make the bet?” Nick asked, seeming to address no one in particular.
The broker nodded and went on.
Before long the man with whom Nick had conversed the previous evening passed down the stairs, and took his way to a neighboring pool-room.
The detective followed until there was no doubt as to where the man was going, and then walked about the street for some moments in deep thought.
When he finally entered the pool-room the man stood at the desk talking with the proprietor.
“There is no doubt in my mind,” Nick heard the latter say, “regarding the horse’s ability to win. The only question is whether the boys will do their work well.”
“You can’t gamble on anybody’s honesty when it comes to dollars and cents,” was the reply. “The other side has the age now, and can afford to put up a lot of money to have things go their way.”
“Well, you’ll have to take your own chances.”