The doctor exclaimed, "Caught, I declare! He himself is the one to pay the forfeit." All laughed, and crowded round the table.

"The bank, doctor," cried the officers, throwing him the cards.

Soon other packs came out of other pockets; and the doctor laying a little heap of paper and silver on the table, the game began.

The stakes were not high, and light jests accompanied the loss and gain of the players.

Even Anton took a card and staked away without much thought.