Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/287

Rh He caught the flash of triumph in Embry's eyes now, the look which Embry turned upon him mockingly.

"Two thousand more in the till than when we started," droned the dealer, drawing the stacked coins to him with both hands. "Come again, friend?"

For the first time a little flush showed under Steele's tan, showed and was gone. With no answer to Pete, he turned to Truitt.

"Have you telephoned to the other dives yet?" he asked coolly, "for some more money?"

"It doesn't seem needed yet, does it?" demanded Truitt sharply.

"I'll take ten thousand dollars of chips if I can see something worth while to play for," Steele told him steadily. "I began by saying that I wasn't shooting nickels tonight. Can you show me enough in your drawer to make it worth a man's while to stake ten thousand?"

The dealer shrugged, leaving the answer to Truitt. And now it was Embry saying bluntly:

"Do it. Telephone to Summit City, Indian City and Red Cliff. I'll put up a thousand from my own pocket to see you clean this man. You can get the other cash here in a couple of hours." "I want to see at least fifty thousand," said Steele, still addressing Truitt. "Can you scare that up as bait for my ten thousand?"

"Yes!" cried Truitt. "Damn it, yes. Give me two hours."

Steele nodded, turned and made his way through the