“That won’t get you anything but a box. I’m for you. You kept Noonan from framing me. That’s why I’m telling you, forget it and go back to Frisco.”
“I’m for you,” I said. “That’s why I’m telling you, split with them. They crossed you up once. It’ll happen again. Anyway, they’re slated for the chutes. Get out while the getting’s good.”
“I’m sitting too pretty,” he said. “And I’m able to take care of myself.”
“Maybe. But you know the racket’s too good to last. You’ve had the cream of the pickings. Now it’s getaway day.”
He shook his little dark head and told me:
“I think you’re pretty good, but I’m damned if I think you’re good enough to crack this camp. It’s too tight. If I thought you could swing it, I’d be with you. You know how I stand with Noonan. But you’ll never make it. Chuck it.”
“No. I’m in it to the last nickel of Elihu’s ten thousand.”
“I told you he was too damned pigheaded to listen to reason,” Dinah Brand said, yawning. “Isn’t there anything to drink in the dump, Dan?”
The lunger got up from the table and went out of the room.
Thaler shrugged, said:
“Have it your way. You’re supposed to know what you’re doing. Going to the fights tomorrow night?”
I said I thought I would. Dan Rolff came in with gin and trimmings. We had a couple of drinks apiece. We talked about the fights. Nothing more was said about me versus Poisonville. The gambler apparently had