Kirby sneered him on
to it, and saw that he had the kind of a hand that would do the
business right. When the Judge died he didn't own enough to pay his
funeral expenses. Now see here; I happen to know that he left two
young daughters. Just stop, and think of them. We saw this game
played, and there isn't a man here who believes it was played on the
square--that two such hands were ever dealt, or drawn, in poker. We
can't prove that Kirby manipulated things to that end; not one of us
saw how he worked the trick. There is no chance to get him that way.
Then what is it we ought to do? Why I say, make the thief
disgorge--and hanging won't do the business."
"Well then, what will?"
"I confess I do not yet know. I want to talk with Thockmorton first.
He may know something."
There was a moment's silence, then a suspicious voice, "Who the hell
are you? How do we know you ain't in on this yerself?"
"Listen, men," and I fronted them, looking straight into their eyes.
"You have a right to ask that question, and I'll tell you who I am. I
am not here in uniform, but I am an officer of the United States Army.
Captain Thockmorton will vouch for that. I pledge you my word that
this affair does not end here. I never met any of these men until I
came on board the boat at Fort Armstrong, but I have letters with me
for Governor Clark of Missouri, and Governor Reynolds of Illinois.
Either man will accept my statement regarding this matter, and I
promise you that either Kirby and Carver will return the papers and
money before we reach St.
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