rich man just now. But with that sort of certainty which sometimes stands sturdily upon a foundation of hazard, he believed very strongly that Embry was over eager for money because he needed it mightily, that if at Embry's own game he could break Embry's bank, he would be in part paying off a rather long score. To do that he was ready to take his chance, the long, long chance which the wheel gives him who woos her.
His telephone ringing at last found him unshaken in his determination. It was Flash Truitt, saying eagerly:
"We're all ready if you are, Mr. Steele."
"I'll be right over," returned Steele and hung up. He took his automatic from his pocket, shoved it into his trousers band, buttoned his coat about it and made his way promptly to the gambling house.
A glance at the dealer's drawer assured him that Embry's messengers had come. But before he had cashed his check for ten thousand dollars he insisted upon estimating the strength of the bank he had set out to "buck." It had increased to forty-seven thousand dollars.
"I called for fifty thousand at least," he said quietly.
"Your own check for ten thousand goes in with the rest," the dealer answered him. "Making a total of fifty seven thousand. All right?"
"If it is the best you can do, yes. Give me chips this time; fifty chips, figuring each one at two hundred. Let her roll, pardner."
As before, Steele was the only man playing. By common consent the other players left off, preferring to
