e to clear Stanley--"

"I do. I think you did the trick yourself, likely."

"You might as well get one thing in your head, first as last: if I had
any such evidence and made any such a bet--I'd win it! You may be sure of
that. So you'd be no better off so far as getting your pardner out of
trouble is concerned--and you lose a slice of mining property. If you
really think I can give you any such evidence, why not trade me an
interest in the mine for it?"

"I'm not buying, I'm betting! Who's wiggling now?"

"You headstrong, stiff-necked old fool, you've made a bet! I've got the
evidence. Your word against mine?"

"Your word against mine. The bet is made," said Pete. "What have you got?
I called you."

"I've got the Dead Man's Hand--that's all!" Dewing spread out three aces
and a pair of eights, and smiled exasperatingly. "You've got what you
were looking for! I hope you're satisfied now!"

"Yes," said Pete; "I'm satisfied. Let's see you beat this!" He tossed his
cards on the table. "Look at 'em! A royal straight flush in diamonds, and
a gun to back it!" The gun leaped up with a click. "Come through, Dewing!
Your spy may shoot me through that panel behind me; but if he does I'll
bore you through the heart. Boland, you've got a gun. Watch the wall at
my back. If you see a panel open, shoot! Hands on the table, lumbermen!"

"Don't shoot! I'll come through," said Dewing, coolly enough, but
earnestly. "I think you are the devil! Where did you get those cards?"

"Call your man in from that panel. My back itches and so does my trigger
finger."

"What do you think I am--a fool? Nobody's going to shoot you." Dewing
raised his voice: "Come on in, Warren, hands up, before this old idiot
drills me."

"Evidence," remarked Johnson softly, "is what I am after. Evidence! I
have no need of any corpses. Boland, you might go through Mr. Warren and
those other gentlemen for guns. Never mind Dewing; I'll get his gun,
myself, after the testimony. Dewing might play a trick on you if you get
too close. That's right. Pile 'em in the chair. Now, Mr. Dewing--you were
to give some testimony, I believe."

"You'll get it. I robbed Wiley myself. But I'm damned if I tell you any
more till you tell me where you got that hand. I'll swear those are the
cards I dealt you. I never took my eyes off of you."

"Your eyes are all right, son," said Johnson indulgently, "but you made
your play too strong. You showed an ace and two eights. Then, when