Baldwin opened the ball by saying genially--
"Well, Mr. Gordon, you've played a pretty cute gamble, and I suppose
you think you stand to win the pot."
"I'm not complaining," I said.
"Still," snarled Camp, angrily, as if my contented manner fretted him,
"our time will come presently, and we can make it pretty uncomfortable
for you. Illegal proceedings put a man in jail in the long run."
"I hope you take your lesson to heart," I remarked cheerfully, which
made Camp scowl worse than ever.
"Now," said Baldwin, who kept cool, "we know you are not risking loss
of position and the State's prison for nothing, and we want to know
what there is in it for you?"
"I wouldn't stake my chance of State's prison against yours,
gentlemen. And, while I may lose my position, I'll be a long way from
starvation."
"That doesn't tell us what Cullen gives you to take the risk."
"Mr. Cullen hasn't given, or even hinted that he'll give, anything."
"And Mr. Gordon hasn't asked, and, if I know him, wouldn't take a cent
for what he has done," said Fred, rising from the floor.
"You mean to say you are doing it for nothing?" exclaimed Camp,
incredulously.
"That's about the truth of it," I said; though I thought of Madge as I
said it, and felt guilty in suggesting that she was nothing.
"Then what is your motive?" cried Baldwin.
If there had been any use, I should have replied, "The right;" but I
knew that they would only think I was posing if I said it. Instead I
replied: "Mr.
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