Training Difficulties 213 



Heredia started up to protest, and the croupiers rushed 

 at me from different parts of the table, thinking it was 

 a case of attempted robbery ; then, seeing we were friends, 

 they resumed their seats, with smothered mutterings 

 about the " Mad Inglese " — such, moreover, being the 

 usual opinion in Spain of the character of all English 

 people. 



Heredia asked for the money to be given back to 

 him, but telling him that I should keep it safe for him, 

 while if he had it he would lose it, I left the room 

 and went downstairs. Presently Heredia appeared, having 

 already lost the remainder, and begged to have the money 

 returned, that he might have another venture. Just then, 

 however, another sweepstakes was returned, and, taking 

 his sovereign, Heredia again sought the tables. He was 

 in rare luck that evening, and on my going after him 

 I found him with another pile before him. Another 

 grab — not quite so successful as before, for Heredia was 

 on the alert, and seized my wrist — enabled me to still 

 further fill my pocket, and I once more retired from 

 the room. It was not long before Heredia came after 

 me to beg and pray for more money, for it is needless 

 to say that the bank had swallowed up all his gains. 

 His entreaties were in vain, however, and telling him he 

 should have it back in the morning, I left the Casino 

 and retired to the hotel. Then, for the first time, did 

 I count what I had taken ; it was £96, and very thankful 

 was my friend in the morning when it was returned to 

 him, for it came, as he said, in the light of a present, 

 as he would assuredly have lost it the night before, if he 

 had then got possession of it. 



Heredia once gave me a valuable amethyst and 



