"At least I won, eventually, but Fate, in the form of a powdered and bedizened female snatched the proceeds before I got the chance.

A bad omen, what ?" "I hope not," said Crowther.
There was a touch of savagery in Piers' laugh.

"It won't happen again, anyhow," he said.
They entered the Casino with its brilliant rooms and pushing crowds.

The place was thronged.

As they entered, a woman with a face of evil beauty, pressed close to Piers and spoke a word or two in French.