That was an accident, yet, I imagined, might not be altogether unwelcome, and I could not rid my memory of that shining weapon in Kirby's hand, or the thought that he would have used it had the need arose.

Would he not then fight just as fiercely to keep, as he had, to gain?
Indeed, I had but one fact upon which I might hope to base action--every watcher believed those cards had been stacked, and that Beaucaire was robbed by means of a trick.
Yet, could this be proven?
Would any one of those men actually swear that he had seen a suspicious move?
If not, then what was there left me except a mere bluff?
Absolutely nothing.
Gambling was a recognized institution, with which even the law did not interfere.

Of course there were statutes in both Missouri and Illinois, but no enforcement.

Indeed the gambling fraternity was so firmly intrenched, through wealth and influence, that no steamer captain even, autocratic as he often was, would dare encroach on their prerogatives.

Interested as Thockmorton would be in serving Beaucaire's dependents, and as much as he cordially disliked Kirby, all I could rely upon from him in this emergency would be a certain moral support, and possibly some valuable advice.