"Thockmorton knew something about it, and there were other rumors
floating about the Landing, but I have heard no details."

"You did not see the two men, then?"

"No, I was not at home, and they went on down the river the next day on
a keel-boat. You saw the play?"

"I saw the last part of the game and was convinced, as all the others
present were, that the Judge was deliberately ruined for a purpose. I
believe it was all planned beforehand, but of this we have no tangible
proof."

"His opponent was Joe Kirby?"

"And a fellow named Carver, a mere hanger-on."

Haines wet his lips, his eyes narrowing to mere slits, his professional
nature coming to the front.

"First, let me ask you why you believe Beaucaire was cheated?" he
piped. "I know Joe Kirby, and consider him quite capable of such a
trick, but we shall need more than suspicion to circumvent his scheme."

"I have every reason, Haines, to feel convinced that both Kirby and
Carver trailed Beaucaire up the river with the intention of plucking
him. Kirby practically confessed this to me, boastingly, afterwards.
All the way down he was bantering the Judge to play. That last night
he so manipulated the cards--or rather Carver did, for it was his