The chief listened, curling his mustaches, his chest swelling with the importance of being the deciding factor in an argument involving such large sums of money. He looked at me. I said nothing, but bowed politely. He returned the bow. Then, turning to his policeman he pointed a dramatic finger at the man at the table.
"Arrest this goat!" he said.
It was a fitting climax. Shrieking and protesting, the unfortunate Mexican was led into a corner, where he stood facing the table.
"The money belongs to this gentleman," continued the Chief of Police. "As for you, you evidently do not understand the rudiments of this game. I have a mind...."
"Perhaps," said Roberts, politely, nudging me, "the Señor Captain would like to show the gentleman....?"
"I should be only too glad to loan him a few chips," I added, raking in the pile.
"Oiga!" said the Chief. "I will be glad to do so. Superlative thanks, sir!"
He drew up a chair, and, out of politeness, the buck was given to him.
"Abierto!" he said, with the air of an old hand.
We played. The Chief of Police won. He rattled his chips like a professional gambler, slapping the buck to his neighbor, and we played again.