Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 880

# "Old Deck's Colorado Deal" by George C. Jenks

This Western adventure tale opens in Black Hawk, Colorado, at the Big Strike saloon during a faro game. A well-dressed stranger arrives and orders seltzer, provoking gunman Dan Whitton to shoot his glass. The stranger subdues Whitton in a fight, earning the respect of the assembled miners through coolness and skill. The stranger then reveals himself through secret signs—a tattooed triangle with "5," matching coin pieces, and a mysterious handshake—identifying himself to Whitton as a member of some fraternal or criminal organization. As he prepares to announce his name as Dick Cole ("Cold Deck"), an identical-looking man enters and draws on him, introducing himself as Silver Joe, the Silver Sport. The two doubles exchange words about impersonation schemes. Dick Cole slips out with Whitton while Silver Joe remains, inquiring about Miss Cora Leonard, the superintendent's daughter visiting from Denver school.