Such a run of cards was never seen in this room since Rigby, of the Tenth, made his great game four years ago." "_Vingt-cinq; et le va_!" said John Law, calmly.
Will touched his sleeve.

The stake had now grown till the money on the hoard meant a matter of hundreds of pounds, which might he removed at any turn the winner chose.

It was there but for the stretching out of the hand.

Yet this strange genius sat there, scarce deigning to smile at the excited faces of those about him.
"I'll lay thee fifty to one that the next turn sees thee lose!" cried Castleton.
"Done," said John Law.
The iciness in the air seemed now an actual thing.

There was, in the nature of this play, something which no man at that board, hardened gamesters as they all were, had ever met before.