"
Faust had an odd habit of causing his fat sides to ripple like troubled
water when he wished to convey the impression that he was amused; he
never laughed, just the rib ripple.
"What's funny?" Langdon asked, eying Jakey, with querulous disfavor.
"Crane buying a horse to help a man," answered the Cherub, wondering if
Langdon was so devoid of humor as to take it seriously.
"Crane told me so himself," said the Trainer; "Porter's hurt, an' I
guess they're in a hole, an' the boss took over Diablo."
"Say, Dick," and Faust edged close enough to tap the other man's ribs
with his thumb, "were you born yesterday? I say," continued the Cherub,
for Langdon had turned away somewhat impatiently, "what's the good av
givin' me that gup; you didn't stand for it yourself--not on yer life.
Th' old man's pretty slick; buys a bad horse to help a poor mutt, an'
enters him in the Brooklyn, eh?"
"The Brooklyn!" exclaimed Langdon, thrown off his guard.
With corpulent intensity the Cherub melodramatically drew from his
pocket the Telegraph clipping and tendered it to Langdon, watching the
latter's face closely. "That's the pea, Dick, eh?" he asked.
Langdon was thinking. Was Crane doubling on him all around? Why the
devil hadn't he told him?
"Now you ain't takin' in that fairy tale of Crane's any more'n I am,
Dick.
Pages:
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216