ou
shall have it in the morning. Remind me, Cathro, that I owe Mr. Townson
twenty pounds."

The digger looked with surprise at the man who could conjure money from
a publican.

"Who in Hades are _you_?" he asked, as Mr. Crewe placed his L5 beside
the digger's. "D'you own the blanky pub?"

"No, he owns the town," interposed Garsett.

The digger was upon his feet in a moment.

"Proud to meet you, mister," he cried. "Glad to have this bet with you.
I like to bet with a gen'l'man. Make it ten, sir, and I shall be happier
still."

"No, no," replied the ancient Mr. Crewe. "You said five, and five it
shall be. That's quite enough for you to lose on one game."

"You think so? That's your blanky opinion? See that?" The digger pointed
to his heap of money. "Where that come from there's enough to buy your
tin-pot town three times over."

"Indeed," said Mr. Crewe. "I'm glad to hear it. Bring your money, and
you shall have the town."

"Order, gentlemen, order," cried the dough-faced man. "I guess we're
here to play cards, and cards we're going to play. If you three
gentlemen cann't watch the game peaceably, it'll be my disagreeable duty
to fire you out--and that right smart."

And just at this interesting moment entered Gentle Annie. She walked
with little steps; propelling her plenitude silently but for the rustle
of her silk skirt. In her hand she held a scented handkerchief, like any
lady in a drawing-room; her hair, black at the roots and auburn at the
ends, was wreathed, coil on coil, upon the top of her head; her
face, which gave away all her secrets, was saucy, expressive of
self-satisfaction, petulance, and vanity. And yet it was a handsome
face; but it lacked mobility, the chin was too strong, the grey eyes
wanted expression, though they were ever on the watch for an admiring
glance.

"The angel has come to pour oil upon the troubled waters," said the
flabby, florid man, looking up from his cards at the splendid bar-maid.

Gentle Annie regarded the speaker boldly, smiled, and coloured with
pleasure.

"To pour whisky down your throats," she said, laughing--"that would be
nearer the mark."

"And produce a more pleasing effect," said Garsett.

"Attend to the game," said the American. "Spades are trumps."

"Pass," said the digger.

"Then down she goes," said the Englishman.

"Pass again," said the American.

"I make it Diamonds, and cross the blanky suit," said the digger.

Gentle Annie turned to the