The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-01

two large. heavy leather lounging
chairs with arms. Pemmican placed
his burden upon the stand against the
wall and then went softly out. When
each had seated himself at the table
Chailoner got down to business
"Hargraves," he began with sinister
familiarity, you. have $4,000 in your
pocket, / believer"
Colonel Hargraves repressed
movement OF impatience with Difficult
ty. He nodded and unconsciously took
the attitude Of the counterfeit present
ment in the apartment Of Lefty Love.
"len thousand dollars" repeated
Challouer. with provoking GOODNESS.
and added somewhat ominously. And
I'm broker'
Challoner rose, walked over to the
table, half filed two glasses and, piac-
ing them on the table, leaned far over
1t, declaring:
And yet, Colonel Hargraves. you
and are going to sit in $4,000
game tonight"
Challoner drained his glass. His ex-
ample, however, was not followed by
the colonel, Instead, fitting back his
head. he said with an air Of contempt:
Indeed. What with
with your ten thousand.' 1t was
well said. ChaIloner's cool, passion
less voice gave to the declaration the
character OF infallibility.
Colonel Hargraves rose. He threw
into his glance all his knowledge of
Challoner's past.
"You must take me for fool.' he
burst out and started for the door.
But he had gone only a few steps
when he felt Challoner's clutch,
Turning. he felt the power of Chal-
loner's eyes. and presently under their
compelling influence he found himself
once more taking his seat. He made
no attempt TO analyse his sensations.
but he realized that Challoner had
made a new impression. Challoner
had become man not to be disregard
ed-a man Of strength.
"My proposition is a perfectly fair
one" went on Challoner. You put up
ten thousand cash"-
And then--go on
Challoner lifted his arm and pointed
silently In the direction of the Drelfn-
court
IncrednIity shone In the eyes of Har-
graves. His scorn found vent In an
attempt at levity.
Rather like putting up something
that doesn't belong to you, Ell, Chal-
1oner?''
ut looks that way, Hargraves," and
suddenly thrusting himself forward,
but l can make it nncommonly dis
agreeable for the other claimant. You
don't know me--Pm an uncertain
quantity -- and women are blamed
queer. II I win keep the ten thou
sand and my chances"
And II you don't win?" a bit
breathlessiy.
IF you win,' went on Challoner.
you keep your ten thousand and III
quit without murmur."
In the pause Hargraves thought
hard Never In his LIE had he thought
loner the better he liked the PROPOSE
ton. The moment was fraught with
something new and significant. In
more ways than one he feared Chal-
Toner, for he was by no means certain
OF his own place In the woman's az
fections. And then In his mind there
was one acknowledgements knew
that the game was already his; knew
that ChalIoner. steady though he seem
ed. was unqusstionahly drunk. Never
was victory more certain than at the
present time
"If / win." at last he said. with
great earnsstness. you will swear to
leave me-you will leave us alone?"
Challoner nodded.
Its 60" said Harsravss and
pressed button.
With the same sense Of responaihili-
ty upon him Pemmican responded, and
on Challoncr's order he went out and
returned with ten new packs OF cards.
'.Co!d hands," announced ehaiioner;
"hve hundred a throw"
Hargrayes pulled forth his roll Of
bills and placed 1t on the table.
Pemmican left the room and closed
the door behind him. Chailoner smiled
scross the table, aud I new. strange
expression crossed his features that
Hargraves did not could not, under.
stand,
Then they started In to play.
Twenty minutes later Pemmican
rushed pellmeil into Room A.
There was a row ON between the
men who occupied Room A.
you've lost, tell your one OF the
men exclaimed. The other laughed
boisterousiy.
III I've lost, SO have you.' he an
-swefed.
What followed happened IN an In
slant and before Pemmican had been
in Room A thirty seconds. for suddenly
one Of the men there had whipped
from his coat pocket = weapon that
giinted in the white light. q sudden
he had taken MIN, and then came
fash, q report. cloud Of smoke.
Presently one Of the men crossed the
room and sank into chair y daxed
so~t Hf ,fashicn his taad. lnallnx acyQoa