"You said she 'laid me' against it."
"No, no! I merely tipped her to it because she's one of Nelson's brokers."
"She's his sweetie," Stoner added. "He's going to marry her, so Mallow thought he'd surely fall for it, coming from her."
"You—you're not fit to mention that girl's name, either of you." Gray's tone was one of quivering anger. "If you involve her in your crooked dealings, even indirectly, I'll—God! What a dirty trick." He flung Mallow aside in disgust. "You ought to be shot."
"Why, Governor! We wouldn't hurt that kid. She's aces."
"I told you my fight with Nelson was to be fair and square."
There followed a moment of silence. Mallow and Stoner exchanged glances. "What percentage of that goes?" the former finally inquired.
"One hundred."
"So? Then it's lucky Nelson didn't fall. But there's no harm done—nobody's hurt."
"It is lucky, indeed-for me. I'd have felt bound to make good his loss, if you had hooked him. I presume I ought to expose this swindle."