Page:Melville Davisson Post--The Man of Last Resort.djvu/68

44 were merely names to him. Yet blooming in the barren garden of this gambler's heart was something fairer than them all.

“Well,” asked Hergan, with a trace of anxiety in his voice, “are you going to promise?”

The Governor arose. “This is a very serious matter,” he said slowly; “we must be given a few minutes in which to decide.”

“That's fair enough,” replied the gambler. “You two can go into the other room. I 'll wait.”

The Auditor and the Executive retired, and the Secretary of State resumed his seat beside the table, the suggestion of a smile on his face. He knew perfectly that if he could secure the promise of his companions it would be maintained inviolate.

Presently the door opened and the two men entered. “Bill,” said the Governor, “we promise.”

The gambler arose, and stretched his long limbs like one relieved from the weight of a crushing burden. Then he turned to his companions. “Boys,” he said almost gaily, “I