第 50 节
作者:笑傲网络      更新:2021-12-13 08:43      字数:9322
  enough of guidance; though uncertain as to where it might lead him;
  followed meekly。
  〃What sort of a suit do you want?〃 said Harry。
  〃I don't know;〃 said Ranald; doubtfully。  It had never occurred to
  him that there could be any great difference in suits。  There had
  never been any choosing of suits with him。
  〃Like yours; I suppose;〃 he continued; glancing at Harry's attire;
  but adding; cautiously; 〃if they do not cost too much。〃
  〃About forty dollars;〃 said Harry; lightly; then; noticing the
  dismayed look on Ranald's face; he added quickly; 〃but you don't
  need to spend that much; you know。  I say; you let me manage this
  thing。〃  And fortunate it was for Ranald that he had his friend's
  assistance in this all…important business; but it took all Harry's
  judgment; skill; and delicacy of handling to pilot his friend
  through the devious ways of outfitters; for Ranald's ignorance of
  all that pertained to a gentleman's wardrobe was equaled only by
  the sensitive pride on the one hand that made him shrink from
  appearing poor and mean; and by his Scotch caution on the other
  that forbade undue extravagance。  It was a hard hour and a half for
  them both; but when all was over; Ranald's gratitude more than
  repaid Harry for his pains。
  〃Come up to…night;〃 said Harry; as they stood at the door of the
  Hotel du Nord; where Ranald had taken up his quarters。
  〃No;〃 said Ranald; abruptly; unconsciously glancing down at his
  rough dress。
  〃Then I'll come down here;〃 said Harry; noting the glance。
  〃I will be very glad;〃 replied Ranald; his face lighting up; for he
  was more afraid than he cared to show of the lonely hours of that
  night。  It would be the first night in his life away from his own
  kin and friends。  But he was not so glad when; after tea; as he
  stood at the door of the hotel; he saw sauntering toward him not
  only Harry; but also Lieutenant De Lacy and his friend Mr。 Sims。
  〃These fellows would come along;〃 explained Harry; 〃I told them you
  didn't want them。〃
  〃Showed how little he knew;〃 said the lieutenant。  〃I told him you
  would be delighted。〃
  〃Will you come in?〃 said Ranald; rather grudgingly; 〃though there
  is nothing much inside。〃
  〃What a bear;〃 said Mr。 Sims to Harry; disgustedly; in a low voice。
  〃Nothing much!〃 said the lieutenant; 〃a good deal I should say from
  what one can hear。〃
  〃Oh; that is nothing;〃 replied Ranald; 〃the boys are having some
  games。〃
  The bar…room was filled with men in shanty dress; some sitting with
  chairs tipped back against the wall; smoking the black French
  〃twist〃 tobacco; others drinking at the bar; and others still at
  the tables that stood in one corner of the room playing cards with
  loud exclamations and oaths of delight or disgust; according to
  their fortune。  The lieutenant pushed his way through the crowd;
  followed by the others。
  〃A jolly lot; by Jove!〃 he exclaimed; looking with mild interest on
  the scene; 〃and with the offer of some sport; too;〃 he added;
  glancing at the card…players in the corner; where men were losing
  their winter's wages。
  〃What will you take?〃 said Ranald; prompted by his Highland sense
  of courtesy; 〃and would you have it in the next room?〃
  〃Anywhere;〃 said the lieutenant; with alacrity; 〃a little brandy
  and soda for me; nothing else in these places is worth drinking。〃
  Ranald gave the order; and with some degree of pride; noticed the
  obsequious manner of the bar…tender toward him and his distinguished
  guests。  They passed into an inner and smaller room; lit by two or
  three smoky lamps in brackets on the walls。  In this room; sitting
  at one of the tables; were two Frenchmen playing ecarte。  As the
  lieutenant entered; one of them glanced up and uttered an
  exclamation of recognition。
  〃Ah; it is our warlike friend;〃 cried De Lacy; recognizing him in
  return; 〃you play this game also;〃 he continued in French。
  〃Not moche;〃 said LeNoir; for it was he; with a grand salute。
  〃Will the capitaine join; and his friends?〃
  Ranald shook his head and refused。
  〃Come along;〃 said the lieutenant; eagerly; to Ranald。  The game
  was his passion。  〃Mr。 Sims; you will; Harry; what do you say?〃
  〃I will look on with Ranald。〃
  〃Oh; come in Macdonald;〃 said the lieutenant; 〃the more the better;
  and we'll make it poker。  You know the game?〃 he said; turning to
  LeNoir; 〃and your friendI have not the pleasure〃
  〃Mr。 Rouleau;〃 said Ranald and LeNoir together; presenting the
  young Frenchman who spoke and looked like a gentleman。
  〃Do you play the game?〃 said the lieutenant。
  〃A verie leetle; but I can learn him。〃
  〃That's right;〃 cried the lieutenant; approvingly。
  〃What do you say; Ranald;〃 said Harry; who also loved the game。
  〃No;〃 said Ranald; shortly; 〃I never play for money。〃
  〃Make it pennies;〃 said Mr。 Sims; with a slight laugh。
  〃Go on; De Lacy;〃 said Harry; angry at Mr。 Sims's tone。  〃You've
  got fourthat'll do!〃
  〃Oh; very well;〃 said De Lacy; his easy; languid air returning to
  him。  〃What shall it bequarter chips with a dollar limit?  Brandy
  and soda; Mr。 LeNoir?  And you; Mr。 Rouleau?  Two more glasses;
  garcon;〃 and the game began。
  From the outset Rouleau steadily won till his chips were piled high
  in front of him。
  〃You play the game well;〃 said the lieutenant。  〃Shall we raise the
  limit?〃
  〃As you lak;〃 said Rouleau; with a polite bow。
  〃Let's make it five dollars;〃 suggested Mr。 Sims; to which all
  agreed。
  But still the game was Rouleau's; who grew more and more excited
  with every win。  The lieutenant played coolly; and with seeming
  indifference; in which he was imitated by Mr。 Sims; the loss of a
  few dollars being a matter of small moment to either。
  〃It would make it more interesting if we made it a dollar to play;〃
  at length said Mr。 Sims。  The suggestion was accepted; and the game
  went on。  At once the luck began to turn; and in a half hour's play
  Rouleau's winnings disappeared and passed over to the lieutenant's
  hand。  In spite of his bad luck; however; Rouleau continued to bet
  eagerly and recklessly; until Ranald; who hated to see the young
  lumberman losing his season's wages; suggested that the game come
  to an end。
  〃The night is early;〃 said the lieutenant; 〃but if you have had
  enough;〃 he said; bowing to LeNoir and Rouleau。
  〃Non!〃 exclaimed Rouleau; 〃the fortune will to me encore。  We mak
  it de two…dollar to play。  Dat will brak de luck。〃
  〃I think you ought to stop it;〃 said Harry。
  But the demon of play had taken full possession of both Rouleau and
  the lieutenant and they were not to be denied。  Rouleau took from
  his pocket a roll of bills and counted them。
  〃Fifty dollars;〃 he cried。  〃Bon!  I play him; me!〃
  The others deposited a like sum before them; and the game proceeded。
  The deal was De Lacy's。  After a few moment's consideration; Mr。
  Sims and LeNoir each drew three cards。  In a tone of triumph which
  he could not altogether suppress; Rouleau exclaimed 〃Dees are good
  enough for me。〃  The lieutenant drew one card; and the betting
  began。
  Twice Rouleau; when it came to his turn; bet the limit; the others
  contenting themselves by 〃raising〃 one dollar。  On the third round
  LeNoir; remarking; 〃Das leetle too queek for me;〃 dropped out。
  Once more Rouleau raised the bet to the limit; when Mr。 Sims
  refused; and left the game to him and the lieutenant。  There was no
  mistaking the eager triumph in the Frenchman's pale face。  He began
  to bet more cautiously; his only fear being that his opponent would
  〃call〃 too soon。  Dollar by dollar the bet was raised till at last
  Rouleau joyously gathered his last chips; raised the bet once more
  by the limit; exclaiming; as he did so; 〃Alas! dere ees no more!〃
  He had played his season's wages that night; but now he would
  recover all。
  De Lacy; whose coolness was undisturbed; though his face showed
  signs of his many brandy…and…sodas; covered the bet。
  〃Hola!〃 exclaimed Rouleau in triumph。  〃Eet ees to me!〃  He threw
  down his cards and reached for the pile。
  〃Excuse me;〃 said the lieutenant; quietly looking at Rouleau's
  cards。  〃Ah; a straight flush; queen high。〃  Coolly he laid his
  cards on the table。  〃Thought you might have had the ace;〃 he said;
  languidly; leaning back in his chair。  He; too; held a straight
  flush; but with the king。
  Rouleau gazed thunderstruck。
  〃Mort Dieu!〃 he exclaimed; excitedly。  〃The deal was from you。〃
  〃Mine;〃 said De Lacy; quietly; looking up at the excited Frenchman。
  〃Ah;〃 cried Rouleau; beside himself。  〃It iswhat you call?  One
  cheat! cheat!〃
  The lieutenant sat up straight in his chair。
  〃Do you mean that I cheated you?〃 he said; with slow emphasis。
  〃Beware what you say。〃
  〃Oui!〃 cried the Frenchman; 〃sacr…r…reso I mean!〃
  Before the words had well left his lips; and before any one could
  interfere De Lacy shot out his arm; lifted the Frenchman clear off
  his feet; and hurled him to the floor。
  〃Stop! you coward!〃  Ranald stood before the lieutenant with eyes
  blazing and breath coming quick。
  〃Coward?〃 said De Lacy; slowly。
  〃You hit a man unprepared。〃
  〃You are prepared; I suppose;〃 replied De Lacy; deliberately。
  〃Yes!  Yes!〃 cried Ranald; eagerly; the glad light of battle coming
  into his eyes。