Joe Pollard, perching his bulk on the edge of the table, introduced Terry
to the boys again, for Oregon had come back with word that Kate would be
out soon.

"Here's Denver Pete. You know him already, and he's worth his weight in
any man's company. Here's Slim Dugan, that could scent a big coin
shipment a thousand miles away. Phil Marvin ain't any slouch at stalling
a gent with a fat wallet and leading him up to be plucked. Marty Cardiff
ain't half so tame as he looks, and he's the best trailer that ever
squinted at a buzzard in the sky; he knows this whole country like a
book. And Oregon Charlie is the best all-around man you ever seen, from
railroads to stages. And me--I'm sort of a handyman. Well, Black Jack,
your old man himself never got a finer crew together than this, eh?"

Denver Pete had waited until his big friend finished. Then he remarked
quietly: "All very pretty, partner, but Terry figures he walks the
straight and narrow path. Savvy?"

"Just a kid's fool hunch!" snorted Joe Pollard. "Didn't your dad show me
the ropes? Wasn't it him that taught me all I ever knew? Sure it was, and
I'm going to do the same for you, Terry. Damn my eyes if I ain't! And
here I been sitting, trimming you! Son, take back the coin. I was sure
playing a cheap game--and I apologize, man to man."

But Terry shook his head.

"You won it," he said quietly. "And you'll keep it."

"Won nothing. I can call every coin I throw. I was stealing, not
gambling. I was gold-digging! Take back the stuff!"