which you will set against that three inches of brown liquid?"

Trent was on the point of an angry negative. Suddenly he stopped
- hesitated - and said nothing Monty's face lit up with sudden
hope.

"Come," he cried, "there is something I see! You're the right sort,
Trent. Don't be afraid to speak out. It's yours, man, if you win
it. Speak up!"

"I will stake that brandy," Trent answered, "against the picture
you let fall from your pocket an hour ago."



CHAPTER III


For a moment Monty stood as though dazed. Then the excitement which
had shone in his face slowly subsided. He stood quite silent,
muttering softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon Trent.

"Her picture! My little girl's picture! Trent, you're joking,
you're mad!"

"Am I?" Trent answered nonchalantly. "Perhaps so! Anyhow those
are my terms! You can play or not as you like! I don't care."

A red spot burned in Monty's cheeks, and a sudden passion shook him.
He threw himself upon Trent and would have struck him but that he