Johnson wanted the horse to run and be beaten.
The detective did not know exactly what the Brower crowd did want.
He went over to the stables in company with Morris to find out.
The dude and the roughly-dressed horseman attracted some attention as they walked into the quiet little bar-room.
The men outside seemed to regard it as a good joke that Morris had picked up such a companion.[{37}]
“He’ll skin the dude all right enough,” said one of them from a lazy position at the watering trough.
“You bet he will,” added another. “If the dude has any money left after Morris gets through betting with him he’s in luck.”
“If he has any money left,” said another, “Morris will probably take him down and take it away from him.”
“I dunno ’bout dat. Did you notice the dude’s neck and shoulders?”
While the men outside were talking, Nick and his companion seated themselves in a small room opening from the bar-room.