ral protracted periods in those dark hours when he lay awake, thinking wretchedly of the almost tragic end of that game in Osgood's rooms. Never had he spent a wo

figure and ghastly face; and, utterly worn out, he finally sank into a heavy doze. From this he was awaken

ned propped upon his elbow as he answered that he would be down directly. This start had cause

t-what a hor

become a member of that card party. For the first time he fully realized that the person who attempts to pry into the affairs of others without authority or a sufficiently good reason almost invariably brings upon himself n

I'm too sensitive, too conscientious. My feelings are too easily stirred for me ever to make a success in that line. I'm going to quit it. Perhaps I can write s

g players sitting around it engaged in what they chose to call "a little friendly game." A few short hours before this had seemed to him all very fine and sporty, and it had attrac

e of them accepted defeat, and their greedy, eager joy in winning, the truth smote him hard and convincingly. They had been gambling! The reason why they chose to play so small a game lay in the limited condition

ze what he's doing. I was not the only one who couldn't afford to play, putting aside the question of its bei

h winners, and one of the bad features of it all is the fact that their winnings, when made, seldom do them any real, substantial good; for money easily acquired is rarely rated at its real value and is almost as elusive as quicksilver. The winning gambler regards his ga

everies, and, with a strange feeling of lassitude and weariness in his limbs, he dragged himself

t repeating-"no m

something of Roy Hooker's condition. Not a word had Roy spoken after that blow, and

old himself; but he could not dismiss t

he streets of the village bore the deserted appearance usual upon Sunday morning, but to him they seemed ominously silent and

er, and a single glance told him that here was a companion in misery. For Springer also appea

ltered Phil. "What bub-b

ht you out, I guess. H

word.

t came f

ur hands, dud-didn't you?" said Phil resentfully. "C

m sorry I did it, but I was nervous and excited, and I didn't

o him. Why, Pipe, he actually acted as if he didn't

n't like to think of it. What did you d

the glass and heard some one coming. Then, like the two cheap sus-sus-skates w

's arm. "Look! Here comes Dr. Grindle now! I

ing pale around the mouth. "It woul

as far as possible a natural air, Piper bade him good morn

emed to be dazed and stunned. There's a bruise on his cheek and another bad one upon the back of his head. His folks got him to bed, thinking he'd be

onishment, which, however, gave him a throb of self-sco

l sure one or more persons, probably his intimate friends or companions, must know. Unless h

o keep still. "Cuc-couldn't he

y seem to cast no light whatever upon the matter. I decided it wa

s!" mutte

head may have been inflicted by such an implement. The bruise on his cheek, I'm sure, was not made in such a manner; and, considering the fact that the one on the back of h

m not," Sleuth hastened to reply. "For some r

ht on this odd affair? You we

ffice a-bub-bout half past s

n't see him

mber. I don't

y? Did you see him l

finding it impossible to meet the doctor'

lse?" persisted

nywher

we'll find out who it was when he gets able to talk, if not sooner."

ng anywhere but at each other. Presently, however, their eyes m

liars, that's