THE HUNTER AND THE BRAVO Robert turned away, not wishing to meet Boucher again, as he felt that the man would say something provocative, and, standing on one side with de Courcelles, he watched the players.

The air was heated, and the faces of the men were strained and eager.

It was all unwholesome to the last degree, and he felt repulsion, yet it held him for the time with a fascination due to curiosity.

He saw Boucher begin to play and as the latter held his cards, noticed again his thick and strong, but supple wrists.

Uncommon wrists they were, and Robert knew that an uncommon amount of power was stored in them.
Bigot presently observed Robert, and asked him to play, but the lad declined, and he was brave enough to say that he never played.