play the game the same. Men like you make the blood run hot in the
heart of Zoraida who also grips life by the naked throat. Wait. And
look."

She whirled and in another moment, as lithe as a cat, had sprung to the
top of a serving table half across the room. And there she displayed
herself in all her barbaric splendor, posing like a model in an
artist's studio, turning slowly, standing at last confronting them,
a-thrill with her own daring.

"Would you play for such a stake as never men played for before? For
such a stake as kings would risk their crowns for? As such Zoraida
offers herself, pledging her word to make the rich gift of herself to
the man who wins!"

For a moment all four and Betty with them and the serving men at the
doors stared at her and the room was dead still. Through the deep
silence cut Zoraida's laugh, clear and sweet as a silver bell. Under
their bewildered gaze she preened herself like a peacock, proud of her
beauty so boldly displayed before their eyes. Zoraida smiled slowly.

"Is the stake high enough for your play?" she asked gently, in mock
humility.

Bruce surged up from his chair only to drop back into it without having
said a word. Rios's eyes caught fire and for the first time Kendric
guessed that he, too, was in heart bond-servant to his amazing cousin.
Barlow tugged at his forelock and muttered.

"Heap all the gold together," cried Zoraida. "Play for it and each man
of you pray his favorite god for success. For with it goes Zoraida!"

Betty, looking at her out of round eyes, seemed once more the little
girl Kendric had first taken her to be.

"Will you play?" said Zoraida softly.

"Yes! By God, yes!" cried Barlow.

Rios merely nodded and shoved his money to the middle of the table.
Bruce started like a man from a dream and with hands that shook visibly
thrust forward his own gold. Then all looked to Kendric.

Impulse decided for him and his answer came with no measurable time of
hesitation. If he played and lost, as he looked at it, there was
nothing to regret. If he played and won, perhaps it would have been
Zoraida's own all-hazarding hands which had shown the way to break the
chains that bound his two friends to her. It would need something like
this to bring both Bruce and Barlow to their senses. It was mostly of
Bruce that he thought just then.

"One hand of cards?" said Barlow.

"Rather one card, my friend," said Kendric drily. "We are keeping a