John nodded mechanically as he turned to go to the card table. “Let’s have a game of cards,” he said. “The loser pays, of course.”
All turned their attention to the game. The well thumbed pack was brought out and given to John to cut. The game progressed merrily enough for the others, but John was silent. Finally he lost the game.
“Wine all around,” he muttered hoarsely.
“Here, Maria,” shouted her father to the daughter in the store proper, “come and give these gentlemen some wine.” They drank the wine and John flung the marked coin on the counter and started for the door.
Oh, this raiding business was awful!
But before he had reached the door he heard Manuel shout to his daughter, “Ajoga o dinheiro.” (Throw away the money.) “The police are upon us!”
Maria had the coin, which John had paid, in her hand. Just outside the little back room was a pit covered with boards over which her father’s horse and wagon were washed. Maria ran out quickly, dropped the coin between the cracks, and heard the splash which it made as it touched the water.
She returned and saw an officer examining the cash drawer for the marked coin.
“Eu digo a verdade,” her father said, “Me no sell wine; me give mans.”
“You’re a liar,” said the officer testily, for he hated to be beaten in a raid, “but just the same I’ll have to let you go this time. Look out for us, however.” And the police left the store amid the jeers and gibes of the hangers-on at Manuel’s.