Brandon of the Engineers - Page 6/199

"Let's clear out," he said at last. "Is there anywhere else to go?"

"My rooms," Lance suggested.

"Oh, I want something fresh to-night," Dick replied with a smile.

Lance pondered.

"Well, I can show you some keen card-play and perhaps a clever game of

billiards, besides a girl who's a great deal prettier than the dancer.

But it's four miles out of town."

Dick glanced at his watch.

"I can take you on the carrier," he said. "I've plenty of time yet."

They set off, and presently stopped at a tall iron gate on the edge of a

firwood. A glimmer of lights indicated that a house stood at the end of

the drive.

"Kenwardine will be glad to receive you as a friend of mine," Lance said;

"and you needn't play unless you like. He's fond of company and generally

has a number of young men about the place."

"A private gambling club?"

"Oh, no. You're very far from the mark. Kenwardine certainly likes a bet

and sometimes runs a bank, but all he wins wouldn't do much to keep up a

place like this. However, you can see for yourself."

Dick was not a gambler and did not play many games, but he wanted a

little excitement, and he looked forward to it as he followed his cousin

up the drive.