Frank took a position where he could look on. He watched every move. After a time he discerned that the Englishman and the Frenchman were playing to each other, although the trick was done so skillfully that it did not seem apparent.
Bloodgood lost all his chips. The game was held up for a few moments. He stepped into the next room and returned with a fresh supply.
"This is the bottom," he declared. "You people may have them as soon as you like. To blazes with them! Let's lift the limit."
"Ah—er—let's throw it off—entirely," suggested Mr. Slush.
Bloodgood glared at the little man in astonishment.
"What?" he cried. "You propose that? Why, you didn't want to play a bigger game than a quarter limit at the start!"
"Perhaps you are—er—right," admitted Mr. Slush. "I—er—don't deny it. But I have grown more—more interested, you understand. I—I don't mind playing a good game—now."
"Well, then, if the other gentlemen say so, by the gods, we'll make it no limit!" Bloodgood almost shouted.
The Frenchman bowed suavely, a slight smile curling the ends of his pointed mustache upward.
"I haf not ze least—what you call eet?—ze least objectshong," he purred.