Five Thousand an Hour | Page 4

WHICH INTRODUCES JOHNNY GAMBLE AND HIS LAST
HUNDRED DOLLARS
II IN WHICH STRANGERS BECOME OLD FRIENDS
III IN WHICH JOHNNY GAMBLE MIXES BUSINESS AND
PLEASURE
IV IN WHICH GRESHAM FINDS JOHNNY'S OLD PARTNER
ACCOMMODATING
V IN WHICH JOHNNY DISPLAYS TALENT AS A TRUE
PROMOTER
VI IN WHICH CONSTANCE DECIDES ON A FAIR GAME
VII IN WHICH JOHNNY DREAMS OF A MAGNIFICENT
TWENTY-STORY HOTEL

VIII IN WHICH CONSTANCE SHOWS FURTHER INTEREST IN
JOHNNY'S AFFAIRS
IX IN WHICH JOHNNY MEETS A DEFENDER OF THE OLD
ARISTOCRACY
X IN WHICH JOHNNY IS SINGULARLY THRILLED BY A
LITTLE CONVERSATION OVER THE TELEPHONE
XI IN WHICH JOHNNY EXECUTES SOME EXCEEDINGLY
RAPID BUSINESS DEALS
XII IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE
BABIES' FUND FAIR
XIII IN WHICH JOHNNY BUYS A PRESENT AND HATCHES A
SCHEME
XIV IN WHICH JOHNNY TRIES TO MIX BUSINESS WITH SKAT
XV IN WHICH WINNIE CHAPERONS THE ENTIRE PARTY TO
CONEY ISLAND
XVI IN WHICH JOHNNY PLANS A REHEARSAL BETWEEN
OLD FRIENDS
XVII IN WHICH THE STRAW SAILOR HAT OF JOHNNY PLAYS
AN EMBARRASSING ROLE
XVIII IN WHICH THE ENTIRE WOBBLES FAMILY FOR ONCE
GETS TOGETHER
XIX IN WHICH THE COLONEL, MESSRS. COURTNEY,
WASHER AND OTHERS SIT IN A LITTLE GAME
XX IN WHICH JOHNNY ASKS HIMSELF WHAT IS A MILLION
DOLLARS, ANYWAY
XXI IN WHICH CONSTANCE AVAILS HERSELF OF WOMAN'S

PRIVILEGE TO CHANGE HER MIND
XXII IN WHICH PAUL GRESHAM PROPOSES A VERY
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENT
XXIII IN WHICH THE BRIGHT EYES OF CONSTANCE "RAIN
INFLUENCE"
XXIV IN WHICH JOHNNY DEMANDS SPOT CASH AT ONCE
XXV IN WHICH JOHNNY KEEPS ON DOING BUSINESS TILL
THE CLOCK STRIKES FOUR

FIVE THOUSAND AN HOUR
CHAPTER I
WHICH INTRODUCES JOHNNY GAMBLE AND HIS LAST
HUNDRED DOLLARS

About the time the winner of the Baltimore Handicap flashed under the
wire, Johnny Gamble started to tear up a bundle of nice pink tickets on
Lady S. Just then Ashley Loring came by swiftly in the direction of the
betting shed. Loring stopped and wheeled when he caught sight of him
as did most men who knew him.
"Hello, Johnny! I didn't know you had run over. How are you picking
them to-day?" he asked.
"With a dream book," answered Gamble, smiling; "but I ate lobster last
night."
"I didn't know that you cared for the ponies."
"I don't; and it's mutual. Thought I'd take one more whirl, though,
before the Maryland governor also closes the tracks for ever. How are

you doing?"
"I'm working on a new system," stated the tall young man with elation.
"With this scheme, all you have to do is to bet on the right horse. What
did you have in the handicap?"
"The off bay over there," replied Gamble, indicating a team attached to
a sprinkling wagon, away on the farther side of the course. "Have one
of her calling cards, Loring," and he proffered one of the ex- tickets.
"Lady S?" translated Loring. "I cut her acquaintance three bets ago."
And, turning just then toward the grandstand, he smiled up into one of
the boxes and lifted his hat.
Glancing in that direction, Gamble was shocked to find himself looking
squarely into the dark eyes of a strikingly beautiful young woman who
stood with her hands resting upon the rail.
"What do you know about Collaton?" he asked; and, in spite of himself,
he looked again. The young lady this time was laughing with a group of
likable young idlers, all of whom Gamble knew; and, since the startling
stranger was occupied, he could indulge in a slightly more open
inspection.
"I saw Collaton on the track to-day and he was making some big bets,"
replied Loring with a frown. "He's not broke, Johnny. He's merely been
letting you hold the bag."
"Well, help me let go. Loring, I must dissolve that partnership."
The young lawyer shook his head.
"No way to do it so long as the books remain lost. Unless one of you
buys outright the practically defunct Gamble-Collaton Irrigation
Company and assumes all its liabilities, you will remain responsible,
since Collaton possesses no visible property. I'm sure that he stung you,
Johnny."

"Stung me! I'm swelled up yet."
"It's your own fault. You trusted him too much."
"He trusted me. I sold land."
"Of course he trusted you. Everybody does. Meantime he was out West
incurring obligations. You should have gone into bankruptcy and
settled at twenty cents on the dollar when you had a chance, as I
advised you."
"Couldn't. I look in the glass when I shave. Anyhow, it's all paid now."
"How do you know, with the books lost? You started in with an equal
amount of money. When that was gone Collaton announced himself
broke--and let you foot the bills. If he only raked off half of what he
spent he got back his