Malone thought about the National Debt. He wondered if a million more or less would make any real difference. There would be questions asked in committees about it. He tried to imagine himself explaining the evening to a group of congressmen. "Well, you see, gentlemen, there was this roulette wheel--" He gave it up. Then he wondered how much hotter the water was going to get, and he stopped thinking altogether in self-defense. * * * * * In the next room, there were scattered tables. At one, a poker game was in full swing. Only five were playing; one, by his white-tie-and-tails uniform, was easily recognizable as a house dealer. The other four were all men, one of them in full cowboy regalia. The Tudors descended upon them with great suddenness, and the house dealer looked up and almost lost his cigarette. "We haven't any money, Your Majesty," Malone whispered. She smiled up at him sweetly, and then drew him aside. "If you were a telepath," she said, "how would _you_ play poker?" Malone thought about that for a minute, and then turned to look for Boyd. But Sir Thomas didn't even have to be given instructions. "Another five hundred?" he said. Her Majesty sniffed audibly. "Another five thousand," she said regally. Boyd looked Malone-wards. Malone looked defeated. Boyd turned with a small sigh and headed for the cashier's booth. Three minutes later, he was back with a fat fistful of chips. "Five grand?" Malone whispered to him. "Ten," Boyd said. "I know when to back a winner." Her Majesty went over to the table. The dealer had regained control, but looked up at them with a puzzled stare. "You know," the Queen said, with an obvious attempt to put the man at his ease, "I've always wanted to visit a gambling hall." "Sure, lady," the dealer said. "Naturally." "May I sit down?" The dealer looked at the group. "How about your friends?" he said cautiously. The Queen shook her head. "They would rather watch, I'm sure." For once Malone blessed the woman's telepathic talent. He, Boyd and Barbara Wilson formed a kind of Guard of Honor around the chair which Her Majesty occupied. Boyd handed over the new pile of chips, and was favored with a royal smile. "This is a poker game, ma'am," the dealer said to her, quietly. "I know, I know," Her Majesty said with a trace of testiness. "Roll 'em." The dealer stared at her popeyed. Next to her, the gentleman in the cowboy outfit turned. "Ma'am, are you from around these parts?" he said. "Oh, no," the Queen said. "I'm from England." "England?" The cowboy looked puzzled. "You don't seem to have any accent, ma'am," he said at last. "Certainly not," the Queen said. "I've lost that; I've been over here a great many years." Malone hoped fervently that Her Majesty wouldn't mention just how many years. He didn't think he could stand it, and he was almost grateful for the cowboy's nasal twang. "Oil?" he said.