ers stared at the fifth ace thus exposed to view-the ace of spades. This

ing, cheat

at. The latter had likewise risen, and with a sweep of his arm he brushed aside Hooke

n an effort to save himself. His head struck with a thud against the marble mantelpiece, the shock being sufficient to knock one or two bits of bric-a-br

me to check that blow, now grabbed him with b

ve of goodness, wha

nched teeth, exposed by his parted lips. His nostrils were d

tered Cooper. "Don't

He started it. He called me a cheat and a robb

s. Come, Hooker, brace up." But when he sought to arouse the stricken youth, Hooker's body simply slid over sidewise with a little scraping sou

ed Springer in a horrified voice.

hands. "You don't have to hold me," he rasped. "What

e one more effort to arouse the limp fellow on the f

. "Roy's stunned. I'll loosen up his collar so he can brea

ay to the bathroom, drew a glass of water from

gitated, stood looking on as if he could not bring himself to offer assistance or did not know

or magazine or something to fan him with. Some one open a window and let some of this smoke out. Make as little noise as

There was a bruise on his almost ghastly cheek where Shultz's fist had struck. His eyes were closed, and the lids did

t fiercely, as he began pouring water into the palm of h

to himself, as he opened a window.

egan to betray concern. "Isn

be the only one to suffer for it. Nobody in this bunch

dn't even hit him on the jaw. I don't

d, his dripping hand in Hooker's hair. "Here's the spot

s skull is fracture

"I don't know where that extra ace came from. I got all of mi

mmered Springer, still fanning. "

!" said Osgood in great relief. "He ou

attempted to hide his feelings behind an air of sullen defiance and self-justificati

heaved and he gave a heavy

u got a fierce old bump when you fell, but yo

d tried to get him to say that he was feeling better. He continued to stare at them, one after another, in that same puzzled, bewildered way, and all their efforts to draw a wor

pered Sleuth. "His

t to come out of it," said Osgood. "Let's

id Springer, as he turned all the aces over and looked at

Osgood. "The extra ace must have

ime," ventured Cooper timidly, "it's mig

tz, glaring at Chipper in a manner that made the littl

was the hasty disclaimer. "I jus

rdly the word,"

est game. The cards got mixed, and I made up that pack myself. If anybody is to

the game. Counting the few chips left to the unfortunate gamester, Osgood announced how many there

ing to you, Roy," s

blankly. In Cooper'

nd. What if he nev

ust," Chipper

Hooker home, and I think the outside air will revive him. This affair must be kept strictly private. If any one breathes

erned," asserted Piper promptly. "Any

had feared, Ned immediately sho

adjust his collar and tie. When they lifted him to his feet he stood sti

, Roy, but it was a mistake. As I provided the cards, I must shoulder the blame, if any one

per. "He doesn't seem

orced himself to turn until he could look back at them, though it was plainly with a great struggle that he did so. "Perhaps some of you fellows blame me," he flung at them. "If you do, just try to put yourselv

pened, aren't you, C

had to defend myself. Any other fellow

utioned Ned, as Shul

the departing fellow's footst

aid the host. "Don't talk as we go downs

the stairs. It was necessary for Osgood to caution Hooker about descending in the dim light

n a low voice. "It's a good time

ded the steps, Springer having taken Hooker's arm. The a

without anybody getting wise. Osgood's a fine chap, but if people knew about our playing in his rooms

d Cooper, "is about Hooker. Don

peak," whispered Piper. "S'po

out of my way, but it's on your road, Cooper. He's all right

l be late now. If the folks are still up, I'll have to make excuses.