"Call off your man!" warned Donnegan, for the big Negro had reined back; the gun already gleamed in his hand. A gesture from the gambler sent the gun into obscurity, yet still the fellow continued to fall back. "Tell him to ride ahead." "Keep in front, George." "And not too far." "Very well. And now?" "We'll talk later. Go straight on, George, to the clump of trees beyond the end of the street. And ride straight. No dodging!" "It was a good hand you played," continued Donnegan; taking note that of the many people who were now passing them none paid the slightest attention to two men riding on one horse and chatting together as they rode. "It was a good hand, but a bad deal. Your thumb slipped on the card, eh?" "You saw, eh?" muttered the other. "And two of the others saw it. But they weren't sure till afterward." "I know. The blockheads! But I spoiled their game for them. Are you one of us, pal?" But Donnegan smiled to himself. For once at least the appeal of gambler to gambler should fail. "Keep straight on," he said. "We'll talk later on." 15 Before Donnegan gave the signal to halt in a clear space where the starlight was least indistinct, they reached the center of the trees. "Now, George," he said, "drop your gun to the ground." There was a flash and faint thud. "Now the other gun." "They ain't any more, sir." "Your other gun," repeated Donnegan. A little pause. "Do what he tells you, George," said the gambler at length, and a second weapon fell. "Now keep on your horse and keep a little off to the side," went on Donnegan, "and remember that if you try to give me the jump I might miss you in this light, but I'd be sure to hit your horse. So don't take chances, George. Now, sir, just hold your hands over your head and then dismount." He had already gone through the gambler and taken his weapons; he was now obeyed. The man of the linen coat tossed up his arms, flung his right leg over the horn of the saddle, and slipped to the ground. Donnegan joined his captive. "I warn you first," he said gently, "that I am quite expert with a revolver, and that it will be highly dangerous to attempt to trick me. Lower your arms if you wish, but please be careful of what you do with your hands. There are such things as knife throwing, I know, but it takes a fast wrist to flip a knife faster than a bullet. We understand each other?" "Perfectly," agreed the other. "By the way, my name is Godwin. And suppose we become frank. You are in temporary distress. It was impossible for you to make a loan at the moment and you are driven to this forced--touch. Now, if half--"