show them for it?"

"A railroad project, a copper-mine, some coal claims--"

"Bah! A menagerie of wildcats!"

"You can't prove that. What's your reason for distrusting him?"

"Well, for one thing, he knows too much. Why, he knows
everything, he does. Art, literature, politics, law, finance, and
draw poker have no secrets from him. He's been everywhere--and
back--twice; he speaks a dozen different languages. He out-argued
me on poultry-raising and I know more about that than any man
living. He can handle a drill or a coach-and-four; he can tell
all about the art of ancient Babylon; and he beat me playing
cribbage, which shows that he ain't on the level. He's the best-
informed man outside of a university, and he drinks tea of an
afternoon--with his legs crossed and the saucer balanced on his
heel. Now, it takes years of hard work for an honest man to make
a success at one thing, but Gordon never failed at anything. I
ask you if a living authority on all the branches of human
endeavor and a man who can beat me at 'crib' doesn't make you
suspicious."

"Not at all. I've beaten you myself!"

"I was sick," said Captain Brennan.

"The man is brilliant and well educated and wealthy. It's only
natural that he should excite the jealousy of a weaker