His intent was so obvious that I could not bear the imputation. "Nay, for guineas!" I cried. "Done," said the captain. "Here's rare sporting blood, I see." When we parted for the night an hour later, Captain Richmond was near a hundred pounds richer than when he sat down. It was purely a game of chance, this throwing of the dice, and yet, I know not how it was, luck was steadily against me. I had sense enough to reserve a few guineas for my roadway needs, but with the rest I had played desperately till all were gone. It was the first time that I had ever tempted fortune with the ivory. My father had never allowed me so to do. The fascination of it was great, but hardly enough to compensate for the repentance I felt for even this modest depletion of the totally inadequate store that Master Dunner would be able to gather for our great purpose. Too late. I was horror-struck at my folly and my imprudence. Something of my feelings must have appeared in my face, for, on a sudden, Captain Richmond pushed the heap of guineas across the table toward me. "There, lad," he said most courteously, "I did but jest with you. Take thy guineas back. We have had a pleasant evening together, and I shall be happier if your gold is in your own purse rather than in mine." But this I could not brook. "Sir," said I, "I may appear a poor loser, but 'tis in appearance only. You have fairly won the stakes and they are yours. Nay," I cried as I saw him about to speak again, "to protest further would be to insult me!" "As you will," said the captain coolly, "and, if I may say so, I congratulate you upon being a good loser. You shall have your revenge another time, with Fortune, I trust, in a more complacent mood. Which way do you ride to-morrow?" "To Edinburgh," I answered. "Do you make an early start?" "At daybreak," I replied. "We shall ride together then and discourse further." "Upon our ladies?" I asked impudently to cover my dismay. "Nay, upon your commission in my company," he answered. "With all my heart," said I. "Here's to our further acquaintance," he continued, pouring himself another glass of wine. "And so, good-night." _Chapter_ IV _Wherein I played the Highwayman and what befell me on the Road_ I retired to my chamber in a great state of perturbation. I had made the captain's acquaintance; I had some idea of his temperament and quality; I had gained, to a certain degree his confidence and won, in some measure, his regard, it appeared. There was no doubt about his liking for me. Yet I was no nearer the accomplishment of my purpose than before, and the sight of the captain had not reassured me as to its entire practicability. He could jest and discourse idly with me, and play and eat and drink like any other man and soldier, but I instinctively realised that in an emergency it would be a bold, a ready, and a resourceful person who could get the better of such as he.