able of all the stakes. Meldrum knew this.
So did Hal Rutherford, the big man sitting next the wall. What would
be their next move? Perhaps if he joined them he would find out. This
course held its dangers, but long experience had taught him that to
walk through besetting perils was less risk than to run from them.

"If that's an invitation, Dan, you're on," he answered gayly. "Just a
minute, and I'll join you. I want to send a message to Sweeney."

Without even looking at Meldrum to see the effect of this, Dave
beckoned a Mexican standing near. "Tell the sheriff I want to see him
here _pronto_. You win a dollar if he is back within an hour."

The Mexican disappeared. Fox followed him.

The cattleman drew in his chair and was introduced to the two
strangers. The quick, searching look he gave each confirmed his first
impression. These men were professional gamblers. It occurred to him
that they had made a singularly poor choice of victims in Dan Meldrum
and Hal Rutherford. Either of them would reach for his gun at the
first evidence of crooked play.

No man in Battle Butte was a better poker psychologist than Dingwell,
but to-night cards did not interest him. He was playing a bigger game.
His subconscious mind was alert for developments. Since only his
surface attention was given to poker he played close.

While Rutherford dealt the cards he talked at Dave. "So you're
expecting Sweeney, are you? Been having trouble with any one?"

"Or expect to have any?" interjected Meldrum, insolence in his shifty
pig eyes.

"No, not looking for any," answered Dingwell amiably. "Fact is, I was
prospecting around Lonesome Park and found a gold mine. Looks good, so
I thought I'd tell Sweeney about it. . . . Up to me? I've got
openers." He pushed chips to the center of the table.

Rutherford also pushed chips forward. "I'll trail along. . . . You
got an idea of taking in Sweeney as a partner? I'm looking for a good
investment. _It would pay you to take me in rather than Sweeney_."

Three of those at the table accepted this talk at its face value. They
did not sense the tension underneath the apparently casual
give-and-take. Two of them stayed and called for cards. But Dave
understood that he had been offered a compromise. Rutherford had
proposed to divide the gold stolen from the express car, and the
proffer carried with it a threat in case of refusal.

"Two when you get to me. . . . No, I reckon