r ever set foot on any
land. Moreover, I'll bet again--"

"You might win a certain share of these wagers," smiled the young
officer, willing to pass by a possible argument. "Moreover, I am
quite willing to discuss arrangements for changing the term of
servitude of this young lady. I've been doing a little thinking
about one or two matters since this morning."

"What!"

"Quite right. I wouldn't care to restrain her in any way, if she
cared to travel in other company. Our work is well advanced toward
completion, as it is."

"Yet you came here with her? Then what--?"

"Never mind what the relation may have been, my dear fellow. It
irks me now. Especially does this sort of conversation irk me,
because it is not fair to the young lady herself."

Dunwody drew in his breath with a strong sigh. He sat up straight
in his chair, then rested an arm on the table, as he leaned forward
toward the other. "A young lady has had a poor protector who would
not protect her name. Of course!"

"In any case," smiled Carlisle, forcing the frown away from his
face, "my fortunes need mending now. Do you think I could continue
a journey down the river in company so strong at cards as yours?
At a later time, if you like, I will endeavor to get my revenge."

"Suppose you have it now," said Dunwody calmly. "Haven't you just
heard me say I haven't the means?"

"You have as much as I have."

"Tut! tut! I don't borrow to play cards."

"You do not need to borrow. I say, your stake equals mine, and we
will play at evens, too. Come, deal one hand, poker between two,
and to the hilt."

The other man looked at him and gazed at the heaped pile of coins
and notes which lay before him. He himself was no pale-blooded
opponent, nor usually disposed to slight the opportunities of the
game. "I don't understand," said he finally. "Certainly I am not
willing to pledge my land and 'niggers,' like our friend from
Belmont here. Perhaps my fall has been hard enough not to tempt me
to go on with my sort of luck. Suppose I decline!"

"You don't understand me," said Dunwody, looking him fair in the
face. "I said that your stake can easily be equal with this on the
table. I'll play you just two out of three jack-pots between the
two of us. You see my stake."

"But mine?"

"You can make it even by writing one name--and correctly--here on a
piece of paper. Full value--yes, ten times as much as mine! You
are giving odds, man!"