"The pin of my cravat fell out on to my knee. I think no one saw it. As I picked it up the thought that I should mark the cards seemed to flash into my mind-oh, it was despicable, I know! I held the ace of clubs in my hand: I scratched it with that pin-in one corner. It was easily done. By degrees I marked all four, and three of the kings.

"No one noticed, but I was nervous-I dared do no more. I replaced that pin. Soon I began to win-not very much. Then Tracy Belmanoir came across the room to watch our play. From that moment everything seemed to go awry. It was the beginning of the trouble.

"Tracy stood behind me watching. . . . I could feel him there, like some black moth, hovering. . . . I don't know how long he stayed like that-it seemed hours. I could feel his eyes. . . . I could have shrieked-I'll swear my hands were trembling.

"Suddenly he moved. I had played the ace of hearts. He said: 'One moment!' in that soft, sinister voice of his.

"Milward was surprised. I tried to tell myself that Devil had noticed nothing. . . . The mark on that card was so faint that I could scarce see it myself. I thought it impossible that he, a mere onlooker, should discover it. He stepped forward. I remember he brushed my shoulder. I remember how the light caught the diamonds he was wearing. I think my brain was numbed. I could only repeat to myself: 'Extravagant Devil! Extravagant Devil!' and stare at those winking jewels. Then I thought: 'He is Lavinia's brother, but I do not like him; I do not like him. . . '-little foolish things like that-and my throat was dry-parched.

"He bent over the table. . . stretched out his white, white hand. . . turned over the ace. . . lifted his quizzing glass. . . and stared down at the card. Then he dropped the glass and drew out his snuff-box. . . . It had Aphrodite enamelled on the lid. I remember it so distinctly. . . . I heard Tracy ask Milward to examine the ace. I wanted to spring up and strangle him. . . . I could scarce keep my hands still." Richard paused. He drew his hand across his eyes, shuddering.

"Milward saw the scratch. He cried out that the cards were marked! Suddenly everyone seemed to be gathered about our table-all talking!

Jack had his hand on my shoulder; he and Dare were running through the pack. But all the while I could look at no one but Tracy-Andover.

He seemed so sinister, so threatening, in those black clothes of his. His eyes were almost shut-his face so white And he was looking at me! He seemed to be reading my very soul. . . . For an instant I thought he knew! I wanted to shout out that he was wrong! I wanted to shriek to him to take his eyes away! Heaven knows what I should have done! . . . but he looked away-at Jack, with that sneering smile on his damned mask of a face! I could have killed him for that smile! I think Jack understood it-he dropped the cards, staring at Tracy.




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