Will you throw first ?" The little man caught up the box, rattled the dice briskly, and threw--four and three.
Captain Runacles picked them up, and made his cast deliberately--six and ace.
"Gentlemen, you must throw again.

Fortune herself seems to hesitate between you." Captain Barker threw again, and leant back with a sob of triumph.
"Two sixes, upon my soul!" murmured the Doctor.
"I'm afraid, Captain Jeremy--" Captain Jeremy took the dice up, turned them between finger and thumb, and dropped them slowly into the box.

As he lifted his hand to make the cast he looked up and saw the gleam in his friend's greenish eyes.
The next moment box and dice flew past the hunchback's head and out at the open window.
"That's my throw," Captain Runacles announced, standing up and turning his back on the pair as he staggered across the room for his hat.

But the little man also had bounced up in a fury.
"That's a vile trick! I make the best throw, and you force me to fight." "Ah," said the other, facing slowly about and putting on his hat.
"I didn't see it in that light.

Very well, Jack, I decline to fight you." "You apologise ?" "Certainly." The little man held out a hand.