were shaking more than ever.

"A king full," he jerked out, wetting his lips.

Three kings and a pair of tens--a very good layout in a two-handed game
with a huge pot at stake!

"Beats me," said The Kid. "I congratulate yo'."

With a sigh of relief, the gambler began to pull the winnings toward
him.

"Better look at the I O U," The Kid drawled, "and see that it's all
right and proper." As he spoke, he tossed his cards carelessly toward
the gambler, face down.

The youth in the green eye shade unfolded the paper and looked at the
writing within. His eyes widened a little and he looked again,
blinking. Slowly the following words swam into his consciousness:

Son, you can't gamble worth a cent, but rake in the money and follow me
in five minutes. I'll meet you back of the saloon. I'm your friend,
Harry Thomas, and your mother's happiness is at stake.

The gambler's face went a bit paler. Only his poker face kept the
astonishment out of his eyes. Slowly and furtively he looked at the
cards Kid Wolf had tossed away so carelessly. The Texan had held four
aces!

CHAPTER XIV

AT DON FLORISTO'S

In the moonlight, behind the El Chihuahense Saloon, Kid Wolf and the
gambler met. The latter found The Kid leaning silently against a
ruined adobe wall in the deserted alleyway. The sound of the music
from within the gambling hall could be heard faintly. There was a
silence after the two men faced each other. Harry Thomas finally broke
it:

"How did yuh know me? I go by the name of Phil Hall here. And who are
yuh?"

"Just call me The Kid," was the soft answer. "I knew yo' by yo' one
brown and one black eye."

"What did yore note mean?"

"Harry, the S Bar is in great danger. Yo' father is dead, and yo'
mothah----" And then Kid Wolf told the story in full.

Harry Thomas listened in agitation. He was overcome with grief and
remorse. His voice trembled when he spoke:

"I've been a fool," he blurted, "worse than a fool. Poor mother! What
can I do now?"

"It isn't too late to help her," The Kid told him kindly. "Yo' mothah
needs yo' badly. Findin' those stolen cattle wasn't so hahd, aftah
all. Theah on Don Floristo's ranch just below heah. I've talked to
the don, and let the remahk drop that I'm interested in cattle. So I
am, but the don doesn't know in what way. He thinks I'm a rich gringo
wantin' to buy some."

"Kid, I've learned my lesson. I'll never gamble again," said Har