All my people swear by him." One of the players smiled up at me, and Talbot turned.

But his eyes met mine with perfect serenity.

He even held up his cards for me to see.
"What would you draw ?" he asked.
His audacity so astonished me that in silence I could only stare at him and walk on.
When on deck he met me he was not even apologetic.

Instead, as though we were partners in crime, he chuckled delightedly.
"Sorry," he said.

"Had to do it.