Geary was protesting against his poor luck.
Honestly he hadn't held better than three tens more than twice during the evening.

It was Henrietta Vance who took in everything; did one ever _see_ anything to beat her luck?
"the funniest thing!" They began to do tricks with the cards.

Young Haight showed them a very good trick by which he could make the pack break every time at the ace of clubs.

Vandover exclaimed: "Lend me a silk hat and ninety dollars and I'll show you the queerest trick you ever saw," which sent Henrietta Vance off into shrieks of laughter.

Then Geary took the cards out of young Haight's hands, asking them if they knew _this_ trick.
Turner said yes, she knew it, but the others did not, and Geary showed it to them.