spoke to the case-keeper again.

"Let me take your place; your reins are unbuckled."

Toby glanced inquiringly at the Kid, who caught Cherry's
reassuring look and nodded, so he arose and the girl slid into the
vacant chair. This woman would make no errors--the dealer knew
that; her keen wits were sharpened by hate--it showed in her face.
If Glenister escaped destruction to-night it would be because
human means could not accomplish his downfall.

In the mind of the new case-keeper there was but one thought--Roy
must be broken. Humiliation, disgrace, ruin, ridicule were to be
his. If he should be downed, discredited, and discouraged, then,
perhaps, he would turn to her as he had in the by-gone days. He
was slipping away from her--this was her last chance. She began
her duties easily, and her alertness stimulated Bronco till his
senses, too, grew sharper, his observation more acute and
lightning-like. Glenister swore beneath his breath that the cards
were bewitched. He was like a drunken man, now as truly
intoxicated as though the fumes of wine had befogged his brain. He
swayed in his seat, the veins of his neck thickened and throbbed,
his features were congested. After a while he spoke.

"I want a bigger limit. Is this some boy's game? Throw her open."

The gambler shot a triumphant glance at the girl and acquiesced.
"All right, the limit is the blue sky. Pile your checks to the
roof-pole." He began to shuffle.