Adventure Magazine Cover — page 110: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

104 Curly’s bloodless lips drew back like a fam- ished animal’s. “We've been playing five ante and a hundred limit, both doubled for a round if threes or better are played,” San Juan explained to Dinsdale. “That suits. There’s three thousand in that heap. Call it table stakes and make it brief,’’ said Dinsdale. The four nodded their approval and rein- forced their table cash. No further talk was indulged in, pantomime and chips suf- ficing. Dinsdale played a winner at the first, then began to meet with reverses. French Curly’s lips became fixed in a snarl of triumph as the greenbacks began their trav- els, and his breath became choked and dis- agreeable to hear. At midnight the last of his table [stakes were swept away by Curly. “That lets me out for the evening,” said Dinsdale, rising. “Enjoyed myself very much. Suppose I can have my revenge?”’ ‘“That’s what we’re here for,” said San Juan Joe, beginning to discard the cold de- portment of the table. He called the hall-boy and after refresh- ments had been served told Dinsdale: “T’d like to have a word with you in pri- vate. You gentlemen will excuse me. ”’ Passing down the hall he led Dinsdale into a room next to the kitchen. This seemed to be office and sleeping apartment combined and was exceedingly well fur- nished. Pushing forward a chair he genially said: “Ym mighty glad you dropped in, Dins- dale. I’m glad entirely aside from our little game. I’ve been expecting you for two days. If you hadn’t shown up tonight I should have sent you a message.’ He paused as if undecided just how he would proceed. ‘“Play,’’ prompted Dinsdale. “It would be awkward to say it if we hadn’t rode through the cafion together. Do you know there’s talk being made about you since I saw you last?” ‘““Guich seems to be filled with talk,” was the careless rejoinder. “This is more than gossip. I’m afraid, Pete, that Kitty is getting in her work. She isn’t called the ‘Schemer’ for nothing. There’s more cussedness and shrewd poli- tics in that bunch of petticoats than you’ll find in the average army contractor.” “You’re breaking bad news, eh?” ““Let’s hope it hasn’t reached the point Adventure where we must call it ‘bad.’ But it might be much better. That little has started talk about you, and others are passing iton. You came here without even a pack-animal. You’re connected with no outfit. You don’t seem keen to get into business, or do any prospecting. Despite tonight’s game you don’t even look the gambling man. You’re well-heeled with guns and money. And you arrive in a way that makes you a marked man. Res- cuing the girl has made you known to every- body.” : “The hour is late for me, Joe,” yawned Dinsdale. “Get down to cases.” “You tipped me off to tell the crowd about the Ogalala hold-up, and the crowd knew you passed the word. First they had heard of it. Then the Sidney stage driver arrives and inside an hour, is bleating about the robbery to the men at the I. X. L. He tells them that the robbers got a large amount of new greenbacks.” He ceased speaking and watched Dinsdale’s face. Dinsdale blew a ring of smoke and quietly remarked: “And on top of tipping you about the hold-up I gave some greenbacks to Lottie Carl. I understand, Joe, as well as if you talked a month. Folks are wondering. Greenbacks did it. Well, what comes next? You wouldn’t tell me this unless you had something to add.” “‘French Curly will try for another game tonight and, failing, he’ll blow some of his winnings at Kitty’s place. Before morning the town will be telling how you lost an enormous amount of money—in new paper money. ‘Trust Curly to put it strong to make a hit with the ladies.” “All right. Go ahead.” “Youre making me lead all the time, Pete. Well, here is the true word. Get an outfit and go prospecting at once. Make believe you’re a miner. With so many strangers floating in and out a week’s ab- sence may see the loose talk forgotten. By that time Kitty will be busy with new plans.” “Thought she was your woman,” Dins- dale observed. San Juan laughed without mirth. “Yd give everything if she was, but I’m only a handy friend, the fellow to drive off folks who get bothersome. She wants me to pull up and go to South Africa with her. I probably shall. Yet I know she'll toss CORMICLOO© CS (C@