The strain of the last hour had been so
intense that she could barely sit in her seat, yet she was
determined to finish the hand. As Bronco paused before the last
turn, many of the by-standers made bets. They were the "case-
players" who risked money only on the final pair, thus avoiding
the chance of two cards of like denomination coming together, in
which event ("splits" it is called) the dealer takes half the
money. The stakes were laid at last and the deal about to start
when Glenister spoke. "Wait! What's this place worth, Bronco?"
"What do you mean?"
"You own this outfit?" He waved his hand about the room. "Well,
what does it stand you?"
The gambler hesitated an instant while the crowd pricked up its
ears, and the girl turned wondering, troubled eyes upon the miner.
What would he do now?
"Counting bank rolls, fixtures, and all, about a hundred and
twenty thousand dollars. Why?"
"I'll pick the ace to lose, my one-half interest in the Midas
against your whole damned lay-out!"
There was an absolute hush while the realization of this offer
smote the on-lookers. It took time to realize it. This man was
insane. There were three cards to choose from--one would win, one
would lose, and one would have no action.
Of all those present only Cherry Malotte divined even vaguely the
real reason which prompted the man to do this.
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