He saw a mere youth win fifteen thousand francs, which were stolen in the most barefaced mariner by a rouged girl scarcely older than the youth; he saw two old gamesters stake their coins, and lose, and walk quietly out of the place; he saw the bank win fifty thousand francs at a single turn.
'This is rather good fun,' he said at length, 'but the stakes are too small to make it really exciting.

I'll try my luck, just for the experience.

I'm bound to win.' 'Why ?' asked the Prince.
'Because I always do, in games of chance,' Racksole answered with gay confidence.

'It is my fate.

Then to-night, you must remember, I shall be a beginner, and you know the tyro's luck.' In ten minutes the croupier of that table was obliged to suspend operations pending the arrival of a further supply of coin.
'What did I tell you ?' said Racksole, leading the way to another table further up the room.