The uproar while this was going on had been tremendous, but it was suddenly stilled as four men in dark clothes entered the room.

Each held in his hand the well known symbol of his office, the little ebony staff surmounted by a silver crown.
"I arrest all present in the name of the king," one said, "for breaking the laws against gambling, and for brawling and the use of firearms.
Now, gentlemen, resistance is useless; I must request that you each give me your card, and your word of honor that you will appear at Bow Street tomorrow morning." "What is all this about, sir ?" he asked Mark, who was still standing on the table.
"Two fellows here have been caught cheating." "What is your name and address, sir ?" "My name is Mark Thorndyke, and I am a landed gentleman at Reigate; my friends Mr.Chetwynd and Mr.Boldero will bear this out." "Who are the two men ?" the constable asked.
"The two fellows with torn clothes," Mark said.

"They are Mr.Emerson and Sir James Flash." "You are certain of the charge that you are making ?" "Quite certain; the cards have been found hidden upon them." "Yes, yes!" a score of voices shouted; "they have been caught in the act of cheating." "Take those two men into custody," the constable said to two of his companions.
"Who fired that pistol ?" he went on.
A number of voices shouted: "Sir James Flash; he attempted to murder Mr.Thorndyke." The constable nodded to the man who had laid his hands on Sir James Flash, and in a moment a pair of handcuffs closed on his wrists.
"You shall repent this!" Flash exclaimed furiously.
"Calm yourself, Sir James," the constable said calmly.

"We know our duty, and do it whether a man is a peer or a peasant; you are accused of card sharping and an attempted murder." "What is your address in town, Mr.Thorndyke ?" he asked.
"18 Villiers Street." "Is there any charge against anyone else here?
A good many of you seem to have your clothes torn and disarranged." "Some fellows attempted to rescue Emerson and Flash while we were searching them; for what reason we can all pretty well imagine." "I shall require the names in the morning of your assailants," the constable said; "it looks very much as if they were confederates of the two prisoners.

Now, gentlemen, you can all leave.