"Everyone was watching them. . . no one looked at me. If they had they must surely have learnt the truth; but they were hanging on Andover's lips, looking from him to Jack and back again. . . . I remember Fitzgerald dropped his handkerchief-I was absurdly interested in that. I was wondering why he did not pick it up, when Andover spoke again. . . . 'And Carstares' luck turned. . . . ?' Like that, Warburton! With just that faint, questioning in his voice.
"Before Jack could speak there was an outcry. Dare cried 'Shame!' to Andover. They laughed at him, as well they might. But I saw them exchange glances-they were wondering. . . . It was suspicious that Jack should have had that run of luck-and that he should lose as soon as he left that table.
"Milward-poor, silly Milward-gaped at Tracy and stuttered that surely 'twas another pack we had used. I could hardly breathe! Then Andover corrected him- How did he know? No one else remembered, or thought of noticing-only he! . . .
"I can see Jack now, standing there so stiffly, with his head thrown up, and those blue eyes of his flashing.
"'Do I understand you to accuse me, Belmanoir?' he said. Oh, but he was furious!
"Tracy never said a word. Only his eyes just flickered to my face and away again.
"Jack's hand was gripping my shoulder hard. I could feel his anger. . . . Dare called out that the suggestion was preposterous. That John should cheat!
"Tracy asked him if the cards were his. Gad! I can hear his soft, mocking voice now!
"Dare went purple-you know his way, Warburton.
"'Opened in your presence on this table!' he cried.
"'By Carstares!' smiled Tracy.
"It was true. But why should Tracy remember it, and none other? They stared at him, amazed. Dare turned to Jack for corroboration. He nodded. I think he never looked haughtier. . . .
"You know how fond of Jack Dare was? He tried to bluster it off-tried to get control over the affair. It was to no avail. We were puppets, worked by that devil, Belmanoir! One man managing that ghastly scene. . . He pointed out that only three of us had used that pack: Jack, Milward and I.
"Jack laughed.
"'Next you will accuse Dick!' he snapped scornfully.
"'One of you, certainly,' smiled Andover. 'Or Milward.'
"Then everyone realised that one of us three must have marked the cards. Milward was upset, but no one suspected him. It was Jack-or me.
"As long as I live I shall never forget the horror of those moments. If I were exposed it meant the end o£ everything between Lavinia and me. I tell you, Warburton, I would have committed any sin at that moment! Nothing would have been too black-I could not bear to lose her. You don't know what she meant to me!"