Jim seconded the thought. "She's got an ace buried somewhere.
There's a lot more in her head than hair-pins. I wish Merkle would
marry my sister."

"Not a chance," Melcher declared. "You'll be lucky to shake him
down for a few thousand. How about Wharton? Will she stand for
him?"

Jim frowned, and his voice was rough as he replied:

"I'll MAKE her stand for him--if it's a marry."

"He's a lush; if you got him stewed he might go that far. It has
been done; but, of course, it's all up to the girl. Anyhow, if he
balks at the altar we might get him for something else."

"I'm not sure I'll need any help in this." Jim looked up coldly.
"If he marries her, that ends it; if we have to frame him, of
course I'll split."

"How are you going to frame him, with a square dame like Lorelei?"
asked Armistead.

"Frame both of them," Melcher said, shortly. "By the way, he's a
gambler, too, isn't he? Bring him in some night, Jim, and I'll
turn for him myself."

"Save his cuff-buttons for me," laughed Young Sullivan, idly
riffling the cards. "Gee! Money comes easy to some folks. Don't