Then it was the Frenchman's turn, and his was half an inch longer than Belmont's.

Then came Colonel Cochrane, whose piece was longer than the two others put together.

Stephens' was no bigger than Belmont's.

The Colonel was the winner of this terrible lottery.
"You're welcome to my place, Belmont," said he.

"I've neither wife nor child, and hardly a friend in the world.