The Monte Vista journal., 1907-12-07

an eager look-Luggins thrust three
piles or blues" across the table to
me. l sted-but-no-he would
nave 1t no other way-and he was
quite feverish about 1t. Every man was
in" and lin" to the limit l was scar.
ed and yet l did not finch in doing
my duty.
1t was the biggest pot that night.
there was twice the amount of money
l had lost, on that table When finally
the Showdown was reached | show.
ed down. My hand was the best. had
won. Luggins had not shown his hand.
but there was a strange accent to his
voice as he slipped his hand into tho
discard and with a force laugh nut.
tered. Ace high"
With this new life I was Just pre-
pairing for another slaughter when.
suddenly, l caught the flash of Lug.
gins finger nail. Really it was awful,
the influence that nail exerted over
me. In that flash there was a threat
and l trembled as l picked up my l.
U. U. which Luggins slipped across
the table to me.
glanced at the slip Of paper before
tearing 1t up and there Luggins had
pencilled:
Cash In"
1t was a command. But now that I
was winning i was loath to obey. For
moment l hesitated, l cast an EN-.
barrassed look at Luggins and just
then he raised his right hand, back
toward me, as he had on the train. 1t
was not careless action on his part,
l knew 1t had meaning, so, bracing
myself, ! slid my chips over to the
banker and-Quit
I'D like to see you after I'm
through. suggested Luggins, as l left
the ROOM
I'll be at the Wheel returned.
1t was 2 O'Clock when Luggins came
into the room. He had a satisfied air
and gave me sign to follow him. We
entered small cafe and seated our.
selves In secluded corner.
Thought l was rude in telling you
to quit tonight. did you?" he began.
| We'll. well. err. don't know" what
Is the explanation" / stammered.
Most simple. You can't play against
such odds" he returned. extending his
little.hnger over the edge of the table.
with the nail shining more brightly
than the veneer.
What on earth is the mystery.
what is the fascination OF that nail?"
l blurted out.
| LugSins gave sharp. grunting
laugh. his eyelids drew shrewdly to-
gether and he whispered. Never told
anybody
But" continued my friend. II don't
mind telling you. Here. I'll demon.
strate It,"
He took pack OF cards from his
pocket. shufiied them thoroughly. and
dealt hand to each OF us. l started
to pick mine up.
| Just a minute he cautioned.
My hand stopped and I waited un.
I'll he had placed the pack upon tho
table. Then he began: Now. pick
them up one at time. please. and
I'll call them of to you. That top card
Is Jack OF Hearts: the next. the deuce.
same suit. Nine OF spades. Nine OF
clubs and four OF spades. How's that?"
| Nv" tuut "uy-It Wub dlTlSuts
10 far AZ my bulging eyes could ascer.
tain: he had called them all correctly.
| "But-but-the pack was fixed, 1t 10
. trick" I protested.
Nothing OF the kind. it's the little
finger nail. I knew what the cards
were ~ soon a. l dealt them" he
smiled.
THE iittio finger nail?" gaspcd.
| "Yes-sec-it'a . perfect Mirror"
he explained TN curl II up In the
palm OF my hand. like this. 10 I can
see II. but you can't. Each card I deal
10 perfectly reflected on the nail.
That's my business. work nights.
That's why It's insured for $4,000"
"And-and that's why you slid your
hand into the discard my last pot to.
nikht-and-thats why you wrote
Cash In" on my I. o. u" l spiuttsred.
"weil-yes-that's Why" he grin.
ned.
] could have loved him for that grin.
Eo-no-Luxgins was not at all bad.
- l.