There were only two things to be done.
Either I must whip out my ridiculous revolver and do some free shooting, or I must make an appeal to the lower feelings of the assembly.

I chose the latter alternative.

With a sudden movement I slipped through the angry and gesticulating crowd, and leaped on a chair by one of the deserted _ecarte_ tables.

Then I raised a commanding arm, and, in my best election-meeting voice, I cried: "_Messieurs_!" The unexpectedness of the manoeuvre caused instant silence.
"As my friend and myself," I said, "are the cause of this unpleasant confusion, I shall be most happy to pay the banker the losses of the tableau." And I drew out and brandished my pocket-book, in which, by a special grace of Providence, there happened to be a considerable sum of money.
Murmurs of approbation arose.

Then the Englishman sang out: "But what about the money we would have won, if that little fool had played the game properly ?" The remark was received with cheers.
"That amount, too," said I, "I shall be happy to disburse." There was nothing more to be said, as everybody, banker and punt, were satisfied.