One would have thought that Captain Jack might have been satisfied with this large amount, and would have gone homewards and fulfilled his engagement with Phillip Redgill.
But he did not.
The more money he had the more he wanted.
Besides this, he had suddenly entertained a deep and deadly hatred against old Gingles for winning his money at cards.
He therefore retraced his steps towards the “Bull and Mouth,” and when near the door, who should he espy coming out but Alick, the well-known card-sharp.
“Ah! my noble captain; how are you? I was glad to see you had so much spirit in the card-room as to offer to back me in this game, and as I rather like you, I’ll let you into the secret.”
“Secret! What is it?” asked Captain Jack, with his ears all cocked ready to receive it.
“Well, you see,” said Alick, taking the “noble captain’s” arm; “but come away from the doorway first, there may be listeners. You see this old Gingles is very rich, and passionately fond of cards; he has cart loads of money; where he gets it nobody knows; but, at all events, during the past week, he has won enormous sums at the card-table, and how he does it nobody can find out.”
“You don’t mean that?”
“I do though. There is a secret about it, and I have found it out.”