Transcriber's Notes
This etext was produced from Worlds of If November 1961.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Obvious typesetting errors have been corrected.
GAMBLER'S
WORLD
By KEITH LAUMER
Illustrated by GAUGHAN
I
Retief paused before a tall mirror to check the overlap of the four sets of lapels that ornamented the vermilion cutaway of a First Secretary and Consul.
"Come along, Retief," Magnan said. "The Ambassador has a word to say to the staff before we go in."
"I hope he isn't going to change the spontaneous speech he plans to make when the Potentate impulsively suggests a trade agreement along the lines they've been discussing for the last two months."