that Humpy Joe's get-away left us broke, and we banked on you to pull us even. That first experience strained our credulity to the bustin' point, and--well, in words of one syllable, we come from Joplin." "Missouri," said Willie. "My dear sirs, I can't _prove_ that you are going to win your wagers until the day of the race. However, if you are broke to start with, I don't see how you can expect to lose a great deal." "You ain't got the right angle on the affair," Stover explained. "Outside of the onbearable contumely of losin' twice to this Centipede outfit, which would be bad enough, we have drawn a month's wages in advance, and we have put it up. Moreover, I have bet my watch, which was presented to me by the officials of the Santa Fe for killin' a pair of road-agents when I was Depity Sheriff." Miss Blake uttered a little scream, and Speed regarded the lanky speaker with new interest. "It's a Waltham movement, solid gold case, eighteen jewels, and engraved with my name." "No wonder you prize it," said Wally. "I bet my saddle," informed Carara, in his slow, soft dialect. "Stamp' leather wit' silver filagree. It is more dear to me than --well--I love it ver' much, Senor!" "Seems like Willie has made the extreme sacrifice," Stover followed up. "While all our boys has gone the limit, Willie has topped 'em all: he's bet his gun." "Indeed! Is it a good weapon?" "It's been good to me," said the little man, dryly. "I took it off the quivering remains of a Sheriff in Dodge City, up to that time the best hip shot in Kansas." Speed felt a cold chill steal up his spine, while Miss Blake went pale and laid a trembling hand upon his arm. "You see it ain't intrinsic value so much as association and sentiment that leads to this interview," Stover continued. "It ain't no joke--we don't joke with the Centipede--and we've relied on you. The Mex here would do murder for that saddle," Carara nodded, and breathed something in his own tongue. "I have parted with my honor, and Willie is gamblin' just as high." "But I notice Mr.--Willie still has his revolver."