"Did we win? Wait till we show you."
Molly met them as they went in, her eyes wide open, all sleep banished.
"Was it a luck-piece?" she demanded.
Sandy produced the package of bills, divided it, shoved over part.
"Your half," he said. "Five thousand bucks. Bu'sted the bank. An' here's the 'riginal bet." He showed the gold eagle, put it into her palm.
"Served me, now you take it," he said. "I'll git you a chain fo' it. It's sure a mascot—same as you are—the Mascot of the Three Star."
She looked up, her eyes, cloudy with wonder at the sight of the money, shining at her new title. They rested on Sam's arm, bandaged with the bandanna.
"There's been shootin'," she said. "You're hit. Oh!"
"More of a miss than a hit," replied Sam.