Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Whatifthiswerehischance,afterall,comeatlastafteralltheseyears.Hischance!Theinstinctsoftheold-timegambler,themostredoubtablepokerplayerofElDoradoCounty,stirredattheword.Chance!Toknowitwhenitcame,torecogniseitasitpassedfleetasawind-flurry,gripatit,catchatit,blind,reckless,stakingalluponthehazardoftheissue,thatwasgenius.WasthishisChance?Allofasudden,itseemedtohimthatitwas.Buthishonour!Hischerished,lifelongintegrity,theunstainedpurityofhisprinciples?Atthislatedate,weretheytobesacrificed?Couldhenowgocountertoallthefirmbuiltfabricofhischaracter?How,afterward,couldhebeartolookHarranandLymanintheface?And,yet—and,yet—backswungthependulum—toneglecthisChancemeantfailure;alifebeguninpromise,andendedinobscurity,perhapsinfinancialruin,povertyeven.Toseizeitmeantachievement,fame,influence,prestige,possiblygreatwealth.

           “Iamsosorrytointerrupt,”saidMrs.Derrick,asshecameup.“IhopeMr.Annixterwillexcuseme,butIwantMagnustoopenthesafeforme.Ihavelostthecombination,andImusthavesomemoney.Phelpsisgoingintotown,andIwanthimtopaysomebillsforme.Can’tyoucomerightaway,Magnus?Phelpsisreadyandwaiting.”

           Annixterstruckhisheelintothegroundwithasuppressedoath.Alwaysthesefoolfeemalewomencamebetweenhimandhisplans,mixingthemselvesupinhisaffairs.