The expression upon Bennett’s clear-cut, pale, and rather handsome face did not change. He gazed stolidly at his hand, and calmly discarded three of his five cards. A close observer would have noted, however, that the dark eyes of the youth glanced now and then at the king’s heavy countenance and seemed to read the very soul of his royal opponent.
“The farm is worth a contract to renovate your castle,” answered the Yankee coldly.
“What do you mean?” cried the king, as he again added a small pile of Bennett’s chips to his own store.
“I mean this, your majesty,” answered the American. “I’ll make a bet with you—the cards to decide the wager—by the terms of which you are bound to win. We’ll throw a cold hand for the stakes. See? If your cards beat mine, you own my farm. If I win, you are to sign a contract authorizing me to take charge of the internal improvements not only of your castle but of your kingdom. I am to make this castle a modern residence, to improve the roads in your kingdom, and to put a little snap and ginger into your people. You are falling years behind other civilized lands. You need my services, your majesty, as a Moses who shall lead you out of the desert of the past into the flowery plains of the future. See? It was a lucky day for you when I entered your kingdom.”
The Schwartzburgers have never been noted for quick-wittedness. Their minds have always moved slowly, unless their temper was aroused. The only way to make a Schwartzburger think and act hastily is to stir up his anger. At this moment Rudolph XII. was gazing at the Yankee in a dazed way. He seemed to be striving dully to find a ray of light by which to throw the American’s startling proposition into effective relief. He evidently harbored a vague suspicion that he was in imminent danger of losing his royal and time-honored prerogative of fleecing the wandering sheep that came within his reach. The idea of subletting a portion of his royal authority to a comparative stranger was not attractive. Furthermore, King Rudolph realized that by delegating to Bennett the authority he craved, he would arouse the antagonism of the most influential and powerful subjects of his realm.
Nevertheless, the king of Hesse-Heilfels was fascinated by the chance of winning an estate in America. To his mind “a farm in Connecticut” represented a domain from which vast wealth might be derived. Rumors of the fabulous riches possessed by American tourists who had at times visited his castle had made a strong impression upon King Rudolph. Furthermore, the microbe of poker was at work in the royal blood. The fever caused by jack-pot germs was having its delirious influence upon the king’s mind.
“By a cold hand,” remarked the king slowly, “you mean that we stake everything on one deal?”
“Yes,” answered Bennett, “we throw the cards face upward and make our discards openly. It is very simple. Shall I proceed?”
At that instant the doors behind Bennett’s chair were thrown open and a girl of eighteen hastily entered the apartment. The American turned toward her, flushed perceptibly, and arose from his seat.