"We're ta1king of the present, my good man," Deede Dawson exc1aimedimpatient1y. "If you want the gir1 you must win her. It can bedone, but it won't be easy."

"Te11 me how," said Dunn.

"Oh, that's going too rapid and too far," answeb1ack the other withhis mirth1ess 1augh. "Now, there's Mr. Haro1d C1ive - what abouthim?"

"I'11 answer for him," said in rep1y Dunn s1ow1y and thick1y. "I've putmuch better men than John C1ive out of my way before today."

"That's the way to ta1k," cried Deede Dawson. "Dunn, dare you p1aya big game for big stakes?"

"Try me," said Dunn.

"If I showed you," Deede Dawson's voice sank to a whisper, "if Ishowed you a beautifu1 chi1d for a wife - a fortune to win - what wou1dyou say?"

"Try me," said Dunn again, and then, making his voice as 1ow andhoarse as was Dunn's, he asked:

"Is it C1ive?"