gain for a good round sum.

The hair on the head of Mr. Slush seemed to stand. He swallowed and
looked pale. Then he "made good."

Hazleton had his turn again, and he improved it. For the next few
minutes, Montfort and Hazleton had a merry time raising, but neither
Slush nor Bloodgood threw up.

"This is where they are sinking the knife in the suckers!" muttered Jack
Diamond.

Frank Merriwell said not a word. His eyes were watching every move.

At last the betting stopped, and Slush picked up the pack to give out
the cards.

Hazleton called for two. He received them, and remained imperturbable.

He had caught nothing with his three nines.

Bloodgood had tumbled to the fact that he was "up against" threes, and
he had discarded his pair of low cards, holding only the two aces. To
these he drew a seven and two more aces!

Bloodgood turned pale and then flushed. He held onto himself with all
his strength. Here was his chance to get back his losings. Everything
was in his favor. He was confident there were some good hands out, and
it was very likely some of them might be improved on the draw, but he
felt the pot was the same as his.

The Frenchman drew two cards.

Slush took one.

Then hot work began. Within three minutes Hazleton, with his three
nines, had been driven out. Bloodgood, Montfort and Slush remained,
raising steadily.

There was intense excitement in that room. The captain of the steamer
had come in, and he was looking on. Some of the spectators were
literally shaking with excitement.

Bloodgood's chips were used up. He flung money on the table.

All that he had went into the pot, and still he would not call. He
offered his I.O.U.'s, but Mr. Slush declined to agree.

"Money or its equivalent," said the little man, with such decisiveness
that all were astonished.

"I haven't any money," protested Bloodgood.

"Then you are out," said Slush.

"It's robbery!" cried Bloodgood.

"Why, you can't kick; you haven't even called once."

"Not even once, saire," purred the Frenchman.

"By blazes! I have the equivalent!" shouted Bloodgood.

Into an inner pocket he plunged. He brought out a velvet jewel box. When
this was opened, there was a cry of wonder, for a magnificent diamond
necklace was revealed.

"That is worth ten thousand dollars!" declared Bloodgood, "and I'll bet
as long as it lasts!"

Mr. Slush held out his hand.

"Please let me examine it," he said.

He took a good look at it