CHAPTER VIII.

EXPOSING A SWINDLER.

It was less than an hour after separating from Dick Arbuckle that Pawnee Brown found his way to Arkansas City.

He was accompanied by Jack Rasco and Cal Clemmer, and the great scout's object was not alone to aid Dick in the search for Mortimer Arbuckle, but also to help Cal Clemmer get back some money out of which the cowboy boomer claimed he had been swindled.

Clemmer had played cards with a certain sharp known as Pete Stillwater, and lost two hundred and fifty dollars. At first he had imagined he had lost it fairly enough, but after thoughts, coupled with what he heard on the sly the next day, made him certain that Stillwater had cheated him.

He had brought his case to Pawnee Brown, and the leader of the boomers at once concluded that the gambler had not acted fairly. He had met Stillwater at Wichita, where the gambler's reputation was far from savory.

"You were a fool to bet at cards, Cal," he said flatly. "But that is no reason why Stillwater should cheat you. I'll do what I can, but you must promise to leave playing for high stakes alone in the future."

"Don't yer fear, Pawnee," was Clemmer's ready reply. "A scorched Injun keeps hez distance from the blaze, don't he? Wall, I'm the scorched Injun in this air case. Git back my money fer me an' I won't play nothin' higher then penny-ante ez long ez I live."

The gambling resort at which Stillwater was holding forth was soon reached, and the three entered, to find the place comfortably crowded by boomers, men-about-town, cowboys and gamblers, all anxious to add to their wealth without working. As Pawnee Brown surveyed the assemblage his lip curled with a sarcasm which was by no means displaced.

Now, provide a numbered list of answers to these questions:

1. Who cheated Clemmer?
2. How much did he lose?
3. What were they playing?
4. Who did he present his case to?
5. Was the leader of the boomers on his side?
6. Was Stillwater's reputation good?
7. Who was Dick looking for?
8. Who was traveling with Pawnee and Clemmer?
9. How much did Clemmer promise not to bet over?
10. Who keeps his distance from the fire?
11. What kind of resort was Stillwater at?
12. Were any cowboys hanging out there?
13. Gamblers?
14. Walmart cashiers?
15. Did anybody in there want to work?

Numbered answers:
1. Pete Stillwater
2. two hundred and fifty dollars
3. cards
4. Pawnee Brown
5. no
6. no
7. Mortimer Arbuckle
8. ack Rasco
9. penny-ante
10. scorched Injun
11. gambling
12. yes
13. yes
14. no
15. no