the
day they first met, had cherished an unreasoning dislike for the young
Englishman. He felt, rather than knew, that Mogridge had been
instrumental in having his father dismissed by Squire Danesford. The
boy was shrewd enough to suspect the fellow had come on with other
adventurers to meet the army and fleece the unsuspecting. That money
at his hand would clear the little home from debt and assure
protection for the family for the present. How cool and insolent the
fellow was!

"Sorry your luck runs so badly. The game's much less interesting, you
know," Mogridge drawled as he swept the poor fellow's money into his
own pile. Then, looking up and noticing Rodney, though it did not
appear that he recognized him, he said in a bantering tone, "Hello,
here's a young warrior who looks as if he'd like to tempt the fair
goddess, Chance, with a sixpence."

With the hot blood pounding his temples, and scarcely knowing what he
did, the boy took the proffered seat.

"I'll take a hand, if there be no objection," said a bystander with a
wink at Mogridge, which Rodney could not see.

While the cards were being shuffled the "Chevalier" came along and
remarked that the game would be worth watching. Neither Mogridge nor
his "pal" seemed pleased, but the "Chevalier" remained standing where
he could observe every movement of Rodney's antagonists. The cards
were dealt and played. The luck, which so often leads the amateur on
to his downfall, smiled on the boy.

"If the gentleman from London doesn't like the luck that goes with the
warrior's sixpence I'll let some worthier foeman have my place," said
Rodney, who, now that his excitement had subsided, desired to leave
the game.

Mogridge looked narrowly at the boy, but apparently failed to
recognize him, and he replied, "Gentlemen usually grant their
antagonists an opportunity to win back the smiles of the fickle
goddess."

"Deal," replied Rodney with an air of importance he was far from
feeling.

The "Chevalier" yet loitered near, and luck continued to run in
Rodney's favour. After four hands, and with quite a little pile of
winnings before him, he wanted to leave the game, but was ashamed to
do so. Then Mogridge said, "Let's double the stake," which was done.
The cards were dealt, and the play was begun, when the "Chevalier"
coolly remarked, "Card exposed. You'll have to deal over."

Mogridge's little eyes looked like tiny, glowing coals, and closer to
his long nose than ever