“I want my luck piece back myself,” said Smithie. “Put it out and play for it. You made Old Bill.” “I won’t do it.” “Yes, you will,” Collinson said, and he spoke without geniality. “You put it out there.” “Oh, yes, I will,” Mr. Loomis returned mockingly. “I will for ten dollars.” “Not I,” said Old Bill. “Five is foolish enough.” And Smithie agreed with him. “Nor me!” “All right, then. If you’re afraid of ten, I keep it. I thought the ten’d scare you.” “Put that dollar on the table,” Collinson said. “I’ll put ten against it.” There was a little commotion among these mild gamesters; and someone said, “You’re crazy, Collie. What do you want to do that for?” “I don’t care,” said Collinson. “That dollar’s already cost me enough, and I’m going after it.” “Well, you see, I want it, too,” Charlie Loomis retorted cheerfully; and he appealed to the others. “I’m not askin’ him to put up ten against it, am I?” “Maybe not,” Old Bill assented. “But how long is this thing goin’ to keep on? It’s already balled our game all up, and if we keep on foolin’ with these side bets, why, what’s the use?” “My goodness!” the host exclaimed. “_I_’m not pushin’ this thing, am I? _I_ don’t want to risk my good old luck piece, do I? It’s Collie that’s crazy to go on, ain’t it?” He laughed. “He hasn’t showed his money yet, though, I notice, and this ole shack is run on strickly cash principles. I don’t believe he’s got ten dollars more on him!” “Oh, yes, I have.” “Let’s see it then.” Collinson’s nostrils distended a little; but he said nothing, fumbled in his pocket, and then tossed the one-hundred-dollar bill, rather crumpled, upon the table. “Great heavens!” shouted Old Bill. “Call the doctor: I’m all of a swoon!” “Look at what’s spilled over our nice clean table!” another said, in an awed voice. “Did you claim he didn’t have _ten_ on him, Charlie?” “Well, it’s nice to look at,” Smithie observed. “But I’m with Old Bill. How long are you two goin’ to keep this thing goin’? If Collie wins the luck piece, I suppose Charlie’ll bet him fifteen against it, and then——” “No, I won’t,” Charlie interrupted. “Ten’s the limit.” “Goin’ to keep on bettin’ ten against it all night?” “No,” said Charlie. “I tell you what I’ll do with you, Collinson; we both of us seem kind o’ set on this luck piece, and you’re already out some on it. I’ll give you a square chance at it and at catchin’ even. It’s twenty minutes after nine. I’ll keep on these side bets with you till ten o’clock, but when my clock hits ten, we’re through, and the one that’s got it then keeps it, and no more foolin’. You want to do that, or quit now? I’m game either way.” “Go ahead and deal,” said Collinson. “Whichever one of us has it at ten o’clock, it’s his, and we quit.”