As none of them had the money the
eight men were sent to the county jail pending trial.
"That's queer," mused Tom, aloud, as he and Dick walked back to camp.
"You'd think that professional gamblers would have money enough to put up
small bail."
"Not if they're working for other people," suggested Dick. "These men may
be merely the agents of some larger crowd."
"Meaning that the larger crowd may be a sort of vice trust, operating in
many fields at the same time?" queried Reade.
"Something of the sort," replied the young army officer. "To-day nearly
everything has been capitalized on a large scale of combined capital. Why
shouldn't vice be?"
"I begin to think you're more than half right in your guess," Tom admitted.
"Your explanation is about the only way to account for a fellow like
Hawkins not having a thousand at his instant disposal. However, if these
fellows represent a vice trust, then I suppose it will be a question of
only a little time when the trust sends down money enough to put up the
needed bail."
"That will undoubtedly happen," nodded Dick. "And then you'll have to look
out for that fellow, Hawkins, and all the men he can command. Hawkins
looked at you, in court, as though he'd enjoy pulverizing you.
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