A GAMBLING TRICK DETECTED. 179 



Vernon, play de very devil wid me de other night. Such luct 

 I ne^er see — he win every game, and clear my pocket so"— 

 showing its empty inside. 



"Most likely, Count. He is what we call a sharp, keen 

 hand, and up to a trick or two." 



" So I tink too, milor ; but I could not see how de trick 

 was done, which I would give a tousand francs to know." 



" Well, Count, I do not want your money ; and, as I con- 

 sider such tricks downright robbery, I will put you up to them, 

 provided you give me your word of honour never to mention 

 my name." 



"My goot Lord, I would not mention your name for de 

 million francs." 



Lord Yancourt then told him his suspicions that Vernon 

 carried loaded dice in his sleeve, which, by a sleight of hand, 

 were substituted for those on the board ; and these, if marked 

 before they began playing, would, of course, prove the fact." 



" Ah ! milor, I am so much oblige for de hint." 



And he soon after took his leave. 



Lord Yancourt, having put things in a train for the destruc- 

 tion, as he hoped, of his former ally, absented himself from the 

 gaming-table, lest he might act as a counterj)oise to the exposure, 

 well knowing Vernon's sus2:»icious and subtle disposition. 



And a few nights after, being now sorely pressed for cash, 



Vernon, in playing Avith a friend of Count B 's, again had 



recourse to his tricks, and was winning largely, when Count 



B entered the room. Hearing his friend's exclamations of 



surprise at Vernon's continual success, the Count watched him 

 very intently ; and discovering an unusual motion sometimes in 

 his right hand before shaking the dice-box, he walked quickly 

 round the table ; and seizing Vernon's arm, suddenly tore up 

 his sleeve, when four dice, instead of two, appeared on the board. 

 In a moment, all gathered round the detected man ; the Count, 

 livid with passion, abusing him in broken English and German, 

 swearing he would have instant satisfaction for the loss of his 

 money. 



Vernon was so thunderstruck at the sudden discovery of 

 his villany, that he sat as one entranced for a moment, until 

 roused by the insults and abuses poured upon his head, when he 

 rose, and confronting the Count, accepted his challenge, and 

 offered to fight any other man in the room who might feel 

 himself aggrieved. 



" Von at a time, sar," replied the Count. " I have de first 



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