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“Let’s see what you’ve got this time, old buddy,” Max said, confident he must ith two pairs, aces and jacks

Ar turned over three fives Max scowled as he watched his winnings return across the table “Would you be willing to put realmouth of yours?” he asked

“I just have,” said Dick, pocketing the money

“No, I meant when it comes to Hahn”

Dick said nothing

“You’re full of chickenshit,” said Max, after Dick had remained silent for some time

Dick placed the deck back on the table, looked across at his opponent and said coolly, “I’ll bet you a thousand dollars you can’t put Hahn out of business”

Max put down his bottle and stared across the table as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard “How long will you give me?”

“Six weeks”

“No, that’s not long enough Don’t forget I have toto do with me I’ll need at least six months”

“I haven’t got six raf in six weeks if you want to reverse the bet”

“But Hahn’s running a far bigger operation than Arno Schultz,” said Max

“I realize that So I’ll give you three months”

“Then I’d expect you to offer me odds”

Once again, Ar pretended he needed time to consider the proposition “Two to one,” he eventually said