noon
`` I 'll take a chance , '' said the Bald-faced Kid , reaching for the money . `` Son , '' said Old Man Curry , `` what 's on your mind besides your hat ? You ai n't said a word for as much as two minutes , and any time you keep still that long there must be something wrong . '' The Bald-faced Kid 's glance rested for an instant upon the kindly features of the patriarch of the Jungle Circuit , then flickered away down the line of stables where other horsemen and race-track followers were sunning themselves and waiting the summons to the noon meal . Old Man Curry , his eyes half closed , a straw in the corner of his mouth , and the brim of his slouch hat resting upon the bridge of his nose , seemed not to be conscious of this brief but piercing scrutiny . As usual with him , there was about this venerable person a beguiling air of innocence and confidence in his fellow man , a simple attitude of trustfulness not entirely borne out by his method of handling a racing stable . Certain dishonest horsemen and bookmakers were beginning to suspect that Old Man Curry was smarter than he looked .