It was covered with a number of cards, on which were placed certain sums of money.

Looking down, Clarence saw that he was standing before a card that as yet had nothing on it.

A single player at his side looked up, glanced at Clarence curiously, and then placed half a dozen gold pieces on the vacant card.

Absorbed in the general aspect of the room and the players, Clarence did not notice that his neighbor won twice, and even THRICE, upon that card.

Becoming aware, however, that the player while gathering in his gains, was smilingly regarding him he moved in some embarrassment to the other end of the table, where there seemed another gap in the crowd.