The company stared and murmured in mere amazement; but
Mac stepped gallantly to his support.
"We've had enough of it, I do believe," said he. "But
of course it was all fun, and here's my counters back.
All counters in, boys!" and he began to pour his
winnings into the chest, which stood fortunately near
him.
Carthew stepped across and wrung him by the hand.
"I'll never forget this," he said.
"And what are ye going to do with the Highway boy and
the plumber?" inquired Mac, in a low tone of voice.
"They've both wan, ye see."
"That's true!" said Carthew aloud.--"Amalu and
Hemstead, count your winnings; Tommy and I pay that."
It was carried without speech; the pair glad enough to
receive their winnings, it mattered not from whence;
and Tommy, who had lost about five hundred pounds,
delighted with the compromise.
"And how about Mac?" asked Hemstead. "Is he to lose
all?"
"I beg your pardon, plumber. I'm sure ye mean well,"
returned the Irishman, "but you'd better shut your
face, for I'm not that kind of a man. If I t'ought I
had wan that money fair, there's never a soul here
could get it from me.
Pages:
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622