"Kirby and Carver? They went ashore with the Judge's body at the Landing. So there is a story back of all this," he exclaimed jerkily. "Damn it, I thought as much. Was Beaucaire killed?"
"No—not at least by any violence. No doubt the shock of his loss hastened his death. Surely you must know that he risked all he possessed on a game of cards and lost?"
"Thockmorton knew something about it, and there were other rumors floating about the Landing, but I have heard no details."
"You did not see the two men, then?"
"No, I was not at home, and they went on down the river the next day on a keel-boat. You saw the play?"
"I saw the last part of the game and was convinced, as all the others present were, that the Judge was deliberately ruined for a purpose. I believe it was all planned beforehand, but of this we have no tangible proof."
"His opponent was Joe Kirby?"
"And a fellow named Carver, a mere hanger-on."
Haines wet his lips, his eyes narrowing to mere slits, his professional nature coming to the front.
"First, let me ask you why you believe Beaucaire was cheated?" he piped. "I know Joe Kirby, and consider him quite capable of such a trick, but we shall need more than suspicion to circumvent his scheme."