at, as I have said, I must be excused. By the
way, while I think of it," I carelessly added, "can you direct me how to
get to the Big Tent?"

"The Big Tent? If I am not intruding, suh, does your engagement comprise
the Big Tent?"

"Yes. But I failed to get the address."

The Colonel swelled; his fishy eyes hardened upon me as with righteous
indignation.

"Suh, you are too damned innocent. You come here, suh, imposing as a
stranger, suh, and throwing yourself on our goodness, suh, to entertain
you; and you conceal your irons in the fiah under your hat, suh. Do we
look green, suh? What is your vocation, suh? I believe, by gad, suh, that
you are a common capper foh some infernal skinning game, or that you are a
professional. Suh, I call your hand."

I was about to retort hotly that I had not requested their chaperonage,
and that my affair with My Lady and the Big Tent, howsoever they might
take it, was my own; when Mr. Brady, who likewise had been glaring at me,
growled morosely.

"She's waitin' for you. You can square with us later, and if there's
something doin' on the table we want a show."

The black-clad figure had lingered beyond; ostensibly gazing into a window
but now and again darting a glance in our direction. I accepted the
glances as a token of inclination on her part; without saying another word
to my ruffled body-guards I approached her.

She received me with a quick turn of head as if not expecting, but with a
ready smile.

"Well, sir?"

"Madam," I uttered foolishly, "good-evening."

"You have left your friends?"

"Very willingly. Whether they are really my friends I rather question.
They have seen fit to escort me about, is all."

"And I have rescued you?" She smiled again. "Believe me, sir, you would be
better off alone. I know the gentlemen. They have been paid for their
trouble, have they not?"

"They have won a little at gambling, but in that I had no hand," I
replied. "So far they have asked nothing more."

"Certainly not. And you put up no stakes?"

"Not a penny, madam. Why should I?"

"To make it interesting, as they doubtless said. The Colonel, as all the
town knows, is a notorious capper and steerer, and the fellow Brady is no
better, no worse. Had you stayed with them and suffered them to persuade
you into betting, you would soon have been fleeced as clean as a shaved
pig. The little gains they are permitted to make, to draw you on, is their
pay. Their losses if any would ha