The Gambler from Natchez

After four years away from New Orleans, Vance Colby is called back by his gambler father. The story begins with Vance returning to his hometown, setting the stage for the unfolding events and revealing his connection to his father's world of gambling and intrigue.

On a riverboat, gambler Gottfried accuses Vance of cheating during a game. Vance defends himself by beating Gottfried into submission, but Gottfried attempts to attack him with a baling hook afterward, demonstrating the tense and dangerous atmosphere aboard the riverboat.

Riverboat captain Barbee's attractive daughter Melanie steps in to defuse the conflict and protect Vance from Gottfried's further attacks. Her intervention highlights her concern for Vance amidst the chaotic gambling environment.

While ashore, Vance assists Ivette Rivage when her carriage's horse goes lame. This act of kindness introduces him to her and her family at their plantation, Araby, where he also meets her brother André and her fiancé Claude St. Germaine.

Vance learns that Ivette's brother André and fiancé Claude become less friendly after discovering that Vance is Chip Colby's son, creating underlying familial tensions that foreshadow conflict.

André’s henchman Etienne and others ambush Vance, throwing a knife that pierces his side. Vance manages to shoot Etienne in the arm and escape using a small boat, continuing the theme of danger surrounding him.

Vance visits his father's coffin and discovers from Police Commissioner Renard that his father was accused of cheating and was shot by Rivage. Evidence from casino owner Nicholas Cadiz and waiter René Garonne supports this accusation, revealing a complex web of deception.

By pressuring Garonne and examining witnesses, Vance discovers that Rivage, Colby, and others were involved in a high-stakes game of 21 in a private room, where Rivage shot Colby after losing everything, with the game rigged using marked cards.

Vance’s enemies attempt to frame him by planting Garonne's body in his hotel room, but St. Germaine is caught trying to frame Vance. St. Germaine falls to his death while fleeing, exposing the conspiracy against Vance.

Vance has Captain Barbee gamble to reveal Cadiz’s cheating scheme, which involves marked cards. With the help of Commissioner Renard, Vance exposes Cadiz, leading to the revocation of the casino owner's license and a confrontation.

Vance confronts Cadiz in a pistol duel after winning a bet with him and demanding a confession about his father’s murder. Cadiz fires a nicked cheek at Vance, but Vance refuses to fire and urges Cadiz to confess; Cadiz then pulls a derringer, and Vance shoots him dead.

Rivage, losing at poker again, challenges Vance to a final game of 21, wagering his half of the riverboat against Vance’s inheritance. Rivage loses and attacks Vance with a cane sword, leading to a fierce duel where Vance kills Rivage.

Vance returns the deed to Ivette, who thanks him. She invites him to stay with her, but Vance decides to pursue other plans, including being with Melanie, closing the chapter on his turbulent journey and seeking new horizons.