Chapter 30
James Congreve was a dangerous companion for Philip. He was utterly unscrupulous, but took care to keep up a semblance of propriety, in order not to terrify the boy whom he was leading into mischief. They had commenced playing cards for amusement** least, that was Congreve's pretext*** it had led to playing for a stake. Occasionally, when the stake was small, Congreve allowed Philip to win; but, when more than a dollar was staked on the game, he generally managed to win himself. Of course, Philip did not know that he was a victim, and that his chosen friend, Congreve, was a skillful sharper, who had practiced his art on Western steamboats, and was sure to get the better of him. Why had he remained in this country village so long? Surely, it didn't pay him to fleece one victim, and tha
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