There could hardly be a doubt of his object. At all events, Stumpy entertained none, and though he did his duty conscientiously in seeing that none of Sam’s liquor should go begging, as became one who was conversant with Brownsville’s customs, he yet maintained a constant watchfulness, as one who feared the worst. When, presently, he heard Wharton propose a game of cards, he muttered: “I knew it. Now for a battle, murder an’ sudden death, I don’t know. Av Long Mike sits in, an’ the saints above cudn’t kape him out, there’ll be doin’s. Sure it’s me for to shtand by.” Stand by, accordingly, he did. Wharton’s proposal was seconded and adopted with alacrity, and Long Mike and Gallagher took their seats at the table eagerly. Hennessy also declared his willingness to buy chips, and the fifth hand was taken by a man named Cutler, who had been in town for some weeks, and was, therefore, known to them all excepting Wharton, but who had failed to arouse any feeling of liking or respect among the citizens. Just why he was there he did not explain, nor did any demand an explanation; but it seemed so utterly unreasonable for a stranger to remain in Brownsville indefinitely that he was already an object of suspicion. He flashed his money with the others, however, and no one made objection to his playing. The game was for table stakes, and, as each player bought a hundred to start, no one else in the room felt rich enough to take a hand. They all stood around looking on, however, so Stumpy attracted no attention when he took his stand directly behind Wharton’s chair, getting as close to it as he conveniently could without touching it. It so happened, moreover, that Cutler sat nearly opposite to him, being the third man to Wharton’s left. For a considerable time the play was uneventful, and the luck appeared to run more evenly than was to be expected. Even Gallagher did not lose as rapidly as usual, and Long Mike’s proverbial good luck failed to appear. In less than half an hour, however, the big hands began to come, and the play became strenuous enough to put an end to general conversation. Nothing was heard but the few stock phrases which ordinarily announce the play at poker, and not only the players, but the onlookers, became more and more excited. A full hand that Gallagher caught pat on Long Mike’s deal gave him the opportunity to open a jack-pot under the guns, which he did for five dollars, there being that amount in the pot. Cutler came in, and so did Hennessy, whereupon Wharton raised it ten dollars. Long Mike skinned his cards down, and finding three sevens, concluded they were worth playing, so he saw the raise, and Gallagher promptly came back with ten more. Cutler hesitated a little, but saw the double raise, and Hennessy dropped out.