They use gun wads and simply play that they are rubies." "My word," said Saunders, "there isn't a ruby or sapphire in the party." "That's all right," said the Enemy, standing before them with a bunch of mint in one hand and the bowl of ice in the other.

They could not but see that his face was serious.

"We know it's all right, but the servants don't.

How do they know that the stakes are not what they're said to be?
It may be a joke, but the people think you are playing for real stones, using gun wads as they've seen poker chips used.

I've heard that as much as L50,000 in precious gems change hands in a night.