"Ollie seems to be a great favourite of his," said the Captain.
"Queer chap."

Montague assented readily.

"I met him in Brooklyn," continued the other, seeming to feel that
acquaintance with Gamble called for explanation. "He was quite
chummy with the officers at the Navy Yard. Retired millionaires
don't often fall in their way."

"I should imagine not," said Montague, smiling. "But I was surprised
to meet him here."

"You'd meet him in heaven," said the other, with a laugh, "if he
made up his mind that he wanted to go there. He is a good-natured
personage; but I can tell you that anyone who thinks that Gamble
doesn't know what he's about will make a sad mistake."

Montague thought of this remark at lunch, where he sat at table on
the opposite side to Gamble. Next to him sat Vivie Fatten, who made
the little man the victim of her raillery. It was not particularly
delicate wit, but Gamble was tough, and took it all with a cheerful
grin.

He was a mystery which Montague could not solve. To be sure he was
rich, and spent his money like water; but then there was no scarcity
of money in this crowd. Montague found himself wondering whether he
was there because Mrs. De Graffenried and her friends liked to have
somebody they could snub and wipe their feet upon. His eye ran down
the row of people sitting at the table, and the contrast between