e we are," said Girard.

"All right," responded Oscar.

"Say, my friend," suggested Thatford, "we must not play for large
stakes. Remember I am not a rich man; I can't lose like some of you
golden bucks."

"I never play for big stakes," said Girard.

The men entered the house and Girard said:

"My gambling box is on the top floor. There I don't annoy my neighbors."

"All right," said Oscar. Our hero was seemingly in a very complaisant
mood. The men ascended to the top floor. Girard ushered his guests into
a room which contained a full equipment for a game of draw. There were
shaded lights, a polished table, and by touching a button he summoned a
lackey to serve in attendance, and our seemingly half-boozed Oscar
scanned the face of the lackey and perceived that indeed a very cunning
game was being played. Cards, cigars, liquor, and all the paraphernalia
were introduced, even to chips, and the game commenced. Our hero had
started in to buy a big wad of chips, but he was restrained.

Indeed, the rascals were working the game for all it was worth in the
way of a total blind, until the moment when they intended to open up.

The game had proceeded for about half an hour when the attendant entered
the room and made a whispered announcement to Girard. The latter
appeared to be annoyed, but said:

"All right, show them up;" and turning to his guests he added:

"It's awful annoying, but a couple of my friends, knowing my habit, have
dropped in. They will want to come in the game."

"The more the merrier," said Oscar.

Thus he spoke, but he realized all the same that the chances for his
escape were lessening. Two more men would make it five against him,
including the attendant, whom our hero had set down as a "stool" in
disguise, and the inquiry arose in his mind:

"What can their game be? They have certainly gone carefully about it and
have made great preparations to do me; but how do they intend to do it?"

The two men were introduced into the room. They came in seemingly in
quite a merry mood, but a moment later one of them fixed his eyes on our
hero, stared in a surprised way and finally asked:

"Girard, where did you come across that individual?"

There was a tableau at once.

"What do you mean? Of course you know the man."

"Here, my good fellow, I'd like to know what _you_ mean?" demanded
Girard.

"Do you call that man your guest?"

"I do."

"Do you know him well?"

Girard appeared very much conf