Four or five Cross L horses stood meekly before the Come Again Saloon, so
Rowdy and Pink added theirs to the gathering and went in. The Silent One
looked up from his place at a round table in a far corner, and beckoned.

"We need another hand here," he said, when they went over to him. "These
gentlemen are worried because they might be taken into high society some
day, and they would be placed in a very embarrassing position through their
ignorance of bridge-whist. I have very magnanimously consented to teach them
the rudiments."

Bob Nevin looked up, and then lowered an eyelid cautiously. "He's a liar. He
offered to learn us how to play it; we bet him the drinks he didn't savvy
the game himself. Set down, Pink, and I'll have you for my pretty pardner."

The Silent One shuffled the cards thoughtfully. "To make it seem like
bona-fide bridge," he began, "we should have everybody playing."

"Aw, the common, ordinary brand is good enough," protested Bob. "I ain't in
on any trimmings."

The Silent One smiled ever so slightly. "We should have prizes--or favors.
Is there a store in town where one could buy something suitable?"

"They got codfish up here; I smelt it," suggested Jim Ellis. Him the Silent
One ignored.

"What do you say, boys, to a real, high society whist-party? I'll invite the
crowd, and be the hostess. And I'll serve punch--"

"Come on, fellows, and have one with me," called a strange voice near the