FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117  
118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   >>  
his face turning pale, for he well realized the import of Stubbs' words. "I mean," said Stubbs, and at that moment his hand dropped to his revolver butt, "I mean that you are a cheat!" Stubbs produced his revolver and levelled it straight at Hans. Then he swept the circle of surprised faces about him with his eyes. "Sir!" exclaimed Hans, "I demand an apology for those words." "Well, you won't get it," returned Stubbs, decisively. He turned to the man next to Hans. "Reach up his sleeve there," he said, "and if you don't find a card or two I'll make you a present of all the money I have in my pocket." Surprised, the other obeyed and the result vindicated Stubbs. Two cards fluttered from Hans' sleeve. Stubbs got to his feet. "You see, gentlemen," he said, "with what kind of a man you have been playing. No wonder he calls himself lucky." The others were very angry. Seeing that the matter would be taken out of his hands, Stubbs restored his revolver to its place. Hans stood up. "If you think I have cheated," he said, "you are welcome to all the money I have won. As for you," he turned on Stubbs, "you shall die!" A revolver appeared in his hand as if by magic and Stubbs shrank back. But before the man could fire Hal leaped quickly forward and struck up the weapon. "You are not only a cheat but a coward!" said the lad quietly. "And who are you?" screamed Hans, now beside himself with rage. "What have you to do with this?" "Nothing more than to prevent murder," replied Hal. Now the other German officers took a hand in the trouble. "Lieutenant Darnhart," said one. "I wish you never to speak to me again." "Nor to me," from the other man who had taken part in the game, and added: "If you are wise, you will know what to do." For a moment Hans gazed at them hardly knowing what to say. Then, slowly, he emptied the contents of his pockets upon the table. "You are right, gentlemen," he said quietly. "I have cheated. Therefore, this money belongs to you. And do not fear that I do not know what to do. The honor of the regiment shall be kept clean." With that he bowed low to the others and stalked from the tent. The others stood stiffly erect until he had disappeared; then turned to Stubbs. "We have to thank you, sir," said one, "for opening our eyes. Long we have wondered why Darnhart was so lucky, why he always arose from the game the only winner. Now we know." "Well," said Stubbs, "I use
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110   111   112   113   114   115   116   117  
118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   >>  



Top keywords:

Stubbs

 

revolver

 

turned

 
sleeve
 
cheated
 

gentlemen

 
Darnhart
 

quietly

 

moment

 

coward


screamed
 

replied

 

Nothing

 

German

 

murder

 
prevent
 

officers

 

Lieutenant

 

trouble

 
pockets

disappeared

 
stiffly
 

stalked

 

winner

 

opening

 

wondered

 

knowing

 
slowly
 

emptied

 

contents


regiment

 

belongs

 

Therefore

 

weapon

 

restored

 

decisively

 

returned

 

pocket

 

Surprised

 

obeyed


present

 

apology

 

import

 

dropped

 

produced

 

realized

 
turning
 

levelled

 

straight

 

exclaimed