In a few moments this was also lost.

Curtis sat through the deal, with evident impatience. When the deal was over, he observed that the cards before him had five marks for the six. This aroused his suspicion.

"Is this the pack of cards you have been dealing with all night."

"Yes," replied the dealer.

་་

Let me run over them if you please."

Taking the cards in his hand, he threw out upon the table, one by one, as he came to them, five sixes! and fixing his eye upon the dealer, sternly said to him "What does this mean?"

"It's a mistake," said the dealer, choking with rage and excitement.

66

I have lost a thousand dollars here to-night on this false pack. Give me back the money!"

"You do not pretend to say, Dr. Curtis," said the dealer "that I have intentionally dealt with false cards?"

“I say nothing to a thief, sir, except-give me back the stolen money?”

66

'Certainly, sir, the bank claims no advantage," and pulling open the money drawer, the dealer took out a bag which had the appearance of containing a large roll of bank bills, and putting his hand into it, seemed to be pulling out the money, while Curtis was exchanging triumphant glances with Sterling and Burton.

But the bag was as false as the cards and more fatal. It contained a well-charged revolver, the

whole contents of which were poured into the body of Dr. Curtis, whose head fell upon the table, with a spasmodic groan, while the furious dealer springing from his chair, leaped over the body and fled from the house through the back-door; leaving the company paralyzed.

Curtis was dead, his face resting upon the table, as if through weariness and long watching he had fallen asleep!

IN PRESS,

AND WILL BE SPEEDILY PUBLISHED, IN A VOLUME CORRESPONDING

WITH THIS,

LOVE'S APPRENTICESHIP,

BEING A SEQUEL TO

AS IT IS.