The din of voices was prodigious, but Mark, still standing on the table, stilled it for a moment by shouting: "The scoundrel has an accomplice, who this evening and yesterday has been signaling the strength of the cards in Mr.Cotter's hands." "Who is he ?" was shouted over the room.
"It is Sir James Flash," Mark said.

"I denounce him as a cheat and a sharper." As pale as death, Flash rushed to the table.
"I don't know who you are, sir," he said, in a tone of concentrated rage, "but you are a liar, and you shall answer for this in the morning." "I will answer to any gentleman that calls me to account," Mark said, in a ringing voice, "but I don't meet a man who has been expelled from White's for cheating, and who I have no doubt is well stocked with cards at the present moment, in readiness for the victim that he is next going to meet after the plucking of Mr.Cotter has been done.

Now, gentlemen, search him and see if I am wrong; if I am I will apologize for that part of my accusation." Flash drew a pistol from his pocket, but in an instant his arm was seized by those standing round him, and it exploded harmlessly.

Among those who seized Flash was the man who had played with him the previous evening.

In spite of his struggles and curses, and the efforts of his friends to rescue him, he too was thrown down and eight court cards were found concealed in his sleeve.