reck the rough
gold-diggers, and stalwart trappers, seen around the table, for any or
all of them? It is a chain, however ill-assorted in its links, not to
be severed _sans ceremonie_; and the young English officers must bide
their time. A little patience, and their turn will come too.

Practising this, they wait for it with the best grace they can. And not
very long. One after another the more unfortunate of the gamesters get
played out; each, as he sees his last dollar swept away from him by the
ruthless rake of the croupier, heaving a sigh, and retiring from the
table; most of them with seeming reluctance, and looking back, as a
stripped traveller at the footpad who has turned his pockets inside out.

Soon the outer ring is broken, leaving spaces between, into one of which
slips Crozier, Cadwallader pressing in along side of him.

Gradually they squeeze nearer and nearer, till they are close to the
table's edge.

Having, at length, obtained a position, where they can conveniently
place bets, they are about plunging their hands into their pockets for
the necessary stakes, when all at once the act is interrupted. The two
turn towards one another with eyes, attitude, everything expressing not
only surprise, but stark, speech-depriving astonishment.

For on the opposite side of the table, seated in a grand chair,
presiding over the game, and dealing out the cards, Crozier sees the man
who has been making love to Carmen Montijo--his rival of the morning--
while, at the same instant. Cadwallader has caught sight of _his_
rival--the suitor of Inez Alvarez!

CHAPTER THIRTY.

FIGHTING THE TIGER.

At sight of De Lara and Calderon, the English officers stand speechless,
as if suddenly struck dumb; for a pang has shot through their hearts,
bitter as poison itself.

Crozier feels it keenest, since it is an affair which most concerns him.
The suitor of Carmen Montijo a "sport"--a common gambler!

Cadwallader is less affected, though he too is annoyed. For although
Calderon is in the circle of outside players--apparently a simple
_punter_, like the rest--the companionship of the morning, with the
relations existing between the two men, tell of their being socially the
same. He already knows his rival to be a blackguard; in all likelihood
he is also a blackleg.

Quick as thought itself, these reflections pass through the minds of the
young Englishmen; though for some time neither says a word--their looks
al