Once Vandover stopped, just time enough to throw off his vest, his collar, and his scarf.

For a moment the luck seemed about to settle on him.

He was still banking, and twice in succession he drew Van John, both times winning heavily from the Dummy, and a little later tied Ellis at twenty when the latter had staked on nearly a third of his chips.

But in the next half-dozen hands Ellis got back the lead again, winning from both the others.

From this time on it was settled.