l bet was doubled. It
was poker dice now, having begun as razzle dazzle. There were no
horses since horses delayed matters. Beside Drennen and Garcia there
were five other men playing. The Mexican when he suggested doubled
stakes was losing. Then his fortunes began to mend. The man across
the table from him, cleaned out of his few dollars, got up and went to
watch the game of solo. Quite steadily for a little Garcia won. He
sang his fragments of love songs and between throws made eyes at
Ernestine Dumont. Drennen frowned at him, both for his singing and for
his love making. Garcia continued to win and to sing.

Drennen lost as steadily as Garcia won. "No-luck" his nickname
was--"No-luck" the goddess at his elbow to-night. Without speaking,
when the dice cup came around to him, he doubled the already doubled
stakes. One other man, shaking his head, silently drew out of the
game. The others accepted the challenge as it had been given, in
silence. Garcia, with every air of confidence, turned out the high
throw and fingered his winnings smilingly. Drennen's hand sought his
pocket.

"Double again?" he asked bluntly, his hard grey eyes upon the Mexican.

Ramon Garcia laughed.

"As you will, senor," he said lightly. And under his breath,
musically, his eyes going to the nook by the fireplace, "_Dios_! It is
sweet to be young and to love!"

Drennen's hand brought from his pocket a canvas bag heavy with gold.
There was a goodly pile of money in front of the Mexican. The stakes
were doubling fast, the two evidently meant business, and when the dice
rolled again they were playing alone and a little knot of men was
watching.

"You shall see," chuckled the dried-up little man from Moosejaw.

Ernestine Dumont was whispering in Kootanie George's ear. From the
mesh bag at her wrist she took something, offering it to him eagerly.
George stared at her and then shook his head.

"Keep it," he muttered. "I don't need it."

He didn't look at the hand which was being dealt him but left his table
and went across the room to where Drennen and Ramon Garcia were
sitting, carrying with him the money he had had before him. As he went
he thrust his big hand down into his pocket and as he slumped heavily
into a chair opposite Drennen he brought out another canvas bag. It
too struck heavily against the table top. Drennen did not look at him.
Garcia smiled and nodded brightly, and in turn, dropped to the table
his pu