Evening star., 1938-09-18

beat that hand, the Texan had to have straight
flush, four kings or four aces, and against SO
slim chance he was prepared to bet his
last rupee.
His head felt light, his heart was bursting
with relief and thankfulness, for his escape was
almost sure. Awaiting his opponent move, he
noticed idly that his bottom card looked rather
thick. He thumbed its edge 1t split, and showed
another ten. Somebody's drink had wet two
cards and they had stuck together. He had
six! Confusion, and then fury and evaporation
swept him.
The Texan said: How much money have
you got in your stack Lieutenant"
Hiding his CONSERVATION, Naylor counted
his remaining chips. The other rubbed his jaw.
Naylor sat looking straight before him, cards
packed in his closed left hand. In the pot were
all his winnings almost all his pay. If he de-
clared this extra card his hand would be dis
qualified and he would forfeit all he'd bet, but
if it we're disposed of, there'd be no harm done.
The man from Texas drawled: Suppose we
put ourselves out of pain an let's all have an
other deal? I'll tap you, son."
MAYORS heart contracted and his mouth
went dry. His tongue and hands seemed to
move of themselves. As from far off, he heard
his voice say: "All right! See you, sir"
The Texan showed four mines, and Naylor
slid his top five cards out of his hand and spread
his four queens and ten beside them.
The guest shook his long head and smiled
at him. I've always heard you Britishers we're
genteel burglars Now know it. I'm surprised
at you. An me so trustin'."
Harry Smerdon suddenly leaned forward.
''Naylor what's that underneath your hand?"
MAYORS left hand was before him, fiat upon
the smooth green cloth. Smerdon said you've
got card there. can see it,
Nobody moved. The room was silent, save
for the swish and whine of punkhas MAYORS
hot eyes ran around the ring of scandalized
and intent faces. The second in command said:
Hadn't you better show US, Naylor?"
The Indian Army station of Landour lies
high above the plains, five thousand feet into
the foothills of the Himaayas, sweet land of
streams, oak woods and deodar-clad bluffs, and
of raw, tumbled ranges that rear back to the
eternal SHOWS
Next day, toward mid-morning, Naylor left
the regimental office and walked through the
square to his bungalow Inside, it was dusky,
with the split-cane blinds rolled down against
the heat. He sat down on his bed and stared
before him, while his brain reiterated drearily
the Colonel's words: Cheating at cards -. a
guest :. I've no alternative. For your grand
fathers sake, no formal action three
months leave {. send in your papers"
1t was the ultimate catastrophe.
He came of a breed of downright men. Their
comfortable manors and their social place,
they'd owned for centuries. The rectitude of
their fixed codes, they held unquestionabe,
and the duties which they took to be incumbent
on their privileged estate they carried out with
no less certitude A MAYORS place and tasks
were plain. In army, county board or Parlia-
ment, he served the country; he respected
women he played according to the rules. His
word was good. This was the code. and Nay
lors did not tri1e with it. Now and again one
had, but no one ever spoke of these. They had
removed themselves beyond the pale.
Young Martin had no excuses no selfpity.
as he saw himself returning to the gabled house
among the elms and telling how the regiment
his family had served since 17lO had thrown
him out because he had been caught cheating
at cards. 1t was the end, the passing of his
world, beyond which shame was nothing but
dark abyss.
~s>l~ <k> IIo