Nothing is so intoxicating to a weak man as money acquired without toil.

So Norman continued to bet, sometimes independently, sometimes in partnership with, the gentlemanly Smith.

He was borne on by the excitement of varying fortune, a varying fortune absolutely under control of the dealer, whose sleight-of-hand was perfect.

And the varying fortune had an unvarying tendency in the long run--to put three stakes out Of five into the pockets of the gamblers, who found the little game very interesting amusement for gentlemen..