“I'm sorry, Mr. Kane, to disturb your private affairs, but—”
“Why did you do it, then?”
“The captain will not allow Tex Connor to play cards on this boat. At least, not without a fair warning.”
The boy's face pictured the confusion in his mind, as he wavered from anger through surprise into youthful curiosity.
“Oh....” he murmured. “Oh.... so that's Tex Connor.”
“Yes. And Jim Watson with him. He was cashiered from the army in the Philippines. He is generally known now, along the coast, as the Manila Kid.”
“So that's Tex Connor!.... He managed the North End Sporting in London, three years ago.”
“Very likely. I believe he is known in London and Paris.”
“He's a professional gambler, then?”
“I am not undertaking to characterize him. But if you would accept a word of advice—”