Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-11-30

templated his choice an instant-and
suddenly whirled on his heel in light
ming about face.
Although momentarily startled by
this unexpected evidence that Johnny
was not SO far off guard as he had
seemed, the desperado's hand dropped
swiftly to the butt Of his pistol. At
the same instant Johnnys arm snap
ped forward in the familiar motion OF
drawing from the sleeve. The motion
started clean and smooth, but half
through caught, dragged, halted. l
gasped aloud, but had time for no
more than that. Scarface Charley's
revolver was already on the leap. Then
at last Johnny's derringer appeared,
apparently as the result of desperate
effort. Almost with the motion it
parked, and the big man whirled to
the floor his pistol, already at half
raise, gathering away. The whole ep-
isolde from the beginning occupied the
space of two eye Winks. Probably no
one but myself and Danny Randall
could have caught the slight hitch in
Johnny's draw, and, indeed, doubt if
anybody saw whence he had snatched
the derringer.
A complete silence fell It could
have lasted only an instant, but John
ny seized that instant.
HAS this man any friends here?' he
asked clearly.
His head was back, and his swapping
black eyes seemed to see everywhere
at once.
No one answered or stirred. Johnny
held them for perhaps ten seconds,
then deliberately turned back to the
table.
"Thats my bet on the even," said
he. LET her rOll!'
The gambler lifted his face, white in
the brilliant illumination directly over
his head, and | thought to catch
flicker Of something like admiration in
his passionless eyes. Then with his
left hand he spun the wheel.
The soft. dull whir and tiny clicking
of the ball as it rebOunded from the
metal grooves struck across the tense
stiffness. AS though this was the re-
leasing signal, a roar of activity burst
forth. Men all talked at once. The
other tables and the bar were desert
ed, and everybody crowded down to-
ward the lower end of the room. Dan
ny Randall and his friends rushed de-
terminedly to the center of disturb
ance. Some men were carrying out
Scarface Charley. Others were talk
ing eXcitedly. A little clear space sur
rounded the roulette table, at which,
as may be imagined, Johnny was now
he only player. Quite methodically
he laid three more bets.
II think that's enough for now" he
told the dealer pleasantly and turned
away.
"Hullo, Randall. Hullo, Frank he
greeted us. 1--WE just won three bets
straight. Let's have a drink. Bring
your friends" he told Randall.
We turned toward the bar, and way
was instantly made for u.s. Johnny
poured himself a big drink Of whisky.
A number of curious men, mere boys
most of them, had crowded close after
us and were standing staring at John
ny with a curiosity they made slight
attempt to conceal. Johnny suddenly
turned to them, holding high his whis-
ky in hand as steady as a rock.
Here's to crime, boysv' he said and
drank it down at a gulp. Then he
stood staring them uncompromisingly
In the face until they had skunk away.
He called for and drank another whis-
Ky, then abruptly moved toward the
door.
II think I'll go turn in said he.
At the door he stopped.