“Good evening, Mr. Badger,” the gamester said politely, as the three men mounted the steps.
“How are you, Flood?” rejoined Nick. “You remember my friend here, Tom Cory? He was here with me about a month ago.”
“I do not recall his face,” smiled Flood gravely. “Possibly I was absent at the time. Glad to meet you, Mr. Cory. Any gentleman recommended by Mr. Badger is always welcome here. Come in, please.”
And Flood shook Nick by the hand, while the attendant at the street door closed the heavy portal behind them.
Thirty seconds later the clang of the bell silenced the disturbance at the faro table, as previously described, and the three men entered the tiger’s lair.
CHAPTER V.
A TURN OF LUCK.
The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical. It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence. The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
“What’s the trouble?” Flood quietly demanded.
He halted for a moment, erect and motionless, with his piercing eyes bent darkly on the scene.