"We'll simply put
up a thousand each for the expense money, start Petroskinski, and
after the opening night began to gather in the mazooboes. When we
get all the money we need, we'll sell our interest and bow out.
It's a pipe, Bunch. I tell you, this Skinski has them all faded to
a whisper. He has a bunch of new illusions that will simply make
the jay audiences sit up and throw money at us. And as for
sleight-of-hand and card tricks, well, say! Skinski can throw a
new pack of cards up in the air and bite his initials on the queen
of diamonds before it hits the floor. He's a marvel."
"Where did you find him?" Bunch inquired.
"At a club smoker," I answered. "He was the hit of the evening.
He pulled a few snake tricks down there and in five minutes he had
all the members of the Highball Association climbing the water
wagon. That was the same evening I took Clara J. to the St. Regis
to dinner. Did I ever tell you about it, Bunch? Well, say, it may
help you to forget your troubles. It's a swell joint, all right,
O.K., is the St. Regis, but hereafter me for the beanery thing with
the high stool and the low prices.
"In the St. Regis the faces of the clerks and the clocks gave token
that much money changed hands while it was building.
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