“Oh, no, not for a moment. I'm afraid I haven't head enough for it.”
“It's a bully game, casino,” Grief broke in pleasantly. “I like it very much.”
Deacon ignored him.
“I'll play you ten quid a game—thirty-one points out,” was the challenge to Peter Gee. “And I'll show you how little you know about cards. Come on! Where's a full deck?”
“No, thanks,” the half-caste answered. “They are waiting for me in order to make up a bridge set.”
“Yes, come on,” Eddy Little begged eagerly. “Come on, Peter, let's get started.”
“Afraid of a little game like casino,” Deacon girded. “Maybe the stakes are too high. I'll play you for pennies—or farthings, if you say so.”
The man's conduct was a hurt and an affront to all of them. McMurtrey could stand it no longer.
“Now hold on, Deacon. He says he doesn't want to play. Let him alone.”
Deacon turned raging upon his host; but before he could blurt out his abuse, Grief had stepped into the breach.