I compromised with a smile on the last alternative, and baccarat being a dreary game to watch, I strolled off to the nearest _ecarte_ table, and, to justify my presence in the room, backed one of the players.
Presently my attention was called to the baccarat table by a noise as of some dispute, and turning, I saw the gentleman in the dinner-jacket hurrying to what appeared to be the storm centre, the place where Anastasius was sitting.

Suspecting some minor peril, I left the _ecarte_ players, and joined the gentleman in the dinner-jacket.

It seemed that the hand, which is played in rotation by those seated at each tableau or half-table, had come round for the first time to Anastasius, and objection had been taken to his playing it, on the score of his physical appearance.

The dwarf was protesting vehemently.

He had played baccarat in all the clubs of Europe, and had never received such treatment.