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young lieutenant felt utterly disgusted over the speech and actions of the young man before him; yet he did not feel inclined just yet to part company with Nuggy Polk. There is an old saying that, "when the wine is in, the wit is out"; and Gilbert felt certain that by judicious "pumping" he could learn a good deal concerning the Richmond Importing Company and the Polks' peculiar method of transacting business.

Gilbert could readily see that Nuggy Polk was a "high-flyer," or, in other words, a fast young man, and one who was inclined to spend his father's money much faster than the parent had made it. Yet the young man did not look like a hard drinker; and his present condition, Gilbert concluded, was an unusual one.

"May I ask if you have been in Richmond lately?" said Gilbert, after a pause, during which