“You see? Let us use the sergeant’s cards. I assure you that I have not touched one of them.”
“So be it!” The mule’s owner shrugged his shoulders. His teeth did not flash in a smile again. His fists were clenched until the knuckles were white.
Sergeant Cassara fetched the cards and threw them on the table, then stood back.
“We will allow the ensign to shuffle them and place them before us,” the caballero said. “Each of us will then draw a card. The one who draws the highest will ride away on the mule and take this heap of gold with him. Is anything simpler?”
“As you say, it is very simple.”
“And you are agreed?”
“Certainly, señor.”
Ensign Sanchez drew a deep breath and shuffled the cards. He put the pack in the middle of the table and looked at his two guests.
“Draw first, señor,” the caballero offered.
“Suppose we cut the pack in the middle and discard the top,” said the other. “It is best to be careful.”