“Diamond has been drinking!” was his first thought. “By Jove! the fellow is half drunk!”
Nothing could have astonished Merriwell more, for Diamond was not a hard drinker; in fact, was not a steady drinker, although he sometimes took a little beer or wine. Now, however, he was somewhat intoxicated, which explained how he happened to be playing poker with a lot of strangers.
It was growing dark. Welch got up and lighted a lamp within the cottage, saying:
“I don’t think there is any real objection to letting you into the game, Mr. Bunker; but the size of it may not suit you.”
“What’s the limit?” asked Bunker.
“A dollar—ten cents ante.”
This was another surprise for Frank. It was evident the limit and the ante had been raised since Browning left.
“Five dollars would be better,” said Bunker. “Let’s make it that. Tell you I’ve got money to burn. You fellers may as well have some of it for kindling. What say?”
“We’ll have a drink all round,” said Welch, producing a bottle and glasses.
The drinks were poured and taken, and then, after a brief discussion, it was decided to raise the limit to five dollars and let Bunker into the game. The fellow who had raised the first objection stood out the longest, but he finally gave in.