?"

"What other place around here, Mr. Reade, would be as convenient?"
demanded the gambler.

"I repeat my question, sir! Have you any authority or warrant for
erecting tents here?"

"Do you mean, have I a permit from the railroad company?"

"You know very well what I mean, Duff."

Though Reade's tone was somewhat sharper, his smile was as genial as
ever.

"I didn't imagine you'd have any objection to my coming here," the
gambler replied evasively.

"Have you any authority to be on the railroad's land's?" persisted Tom
Reade. "Yes or no?"

"No-o-o-o, I haven't, unless I can persuade you to see how reasonable
it is that your men should be provided with enjoyment right at their own
camp."

"Take the tents down, then, as quickly as you can accomplish it,"
directed Tom, though in a quiet voice.

"And--if I don't?" asked Duff, smiling dangerously and displaying his
white, dog-like teeth.

"Then I shall direct one of the foremen to call a sufficient force, Mr.
Duff, to take down your tents and remove them from railroad property. I
am not seeking trouble with you, sir; I don't want trouble. But, as long
as I remain in charge here no gambling or drinking places are going to
be opened on the railroad's land."

"Mr. Reade," inquired the gambler, his smile fading, "do you object to
giving me a word in private?"

"Not at all," Tom declared. "But it won't help your plans."

"I'd like just a word with you alone," coaxed the gambler.

Nodding, Reade stepped away with the gambler to a distance of a hundred
feet or so from the rapidly increasing crowd.

"I expect to make a little money out of this tent outfit, of course,"
explained Jim Duff.

"I expect that you won't make a dollar out of it--on railway property,"
returned Reade steadily.

"I'm going to make a little money--not much," Duff went on. "Now, if
I can make the whole deal with you, and if no one else is allowed to
bother me, I can afford to pass you one hundred dollars a day for the
tent privilege."

Before even expectant Tom realized what was happening, Duff had pressed
a wad of paper money into his hand.

"What is this?" demanded Reade.

"Don't let everyone see it," warned the gambler. "You'll find two
hundred dollars there, in bills. That's for the first two days of our
tent privilege here."

"You contemptible hound!" exclaimed Tom angrily.

Whish! The tightly folded wad of bank notes left Tom's hand, landing
squarely in Jim Duff Is face.