“One moment, men, before we draw,” said Jack. “I just want to say that Frank here and myself have been close chums. If I should happen to have to stay, I want his word, and that of Lord Hastings, that neither will insist on staying with me.”
Frank looked at Lord Hastings, and the latter looked back at Frank.
“I agree,” said Lord Hastings finally, “with the proviso that the same rule applies should I have to stay.”
“And I agree under the same conditions,” said Frank.
“Good!” said Jack briskly. “Now as to the method. How shall we draw?”
An old sailor stepped forward.
“If you please, sir,” he said, “I have an old pack of cards in my pocket.”
“Very well,” said Jack, “a pack of cards will serve as well as anything else. Just how shall we decide?”
The sailor spoke again.
“There are twenty-six of us here,” he said, “because I have counted us all up. In the pack of cards are fifty-two—two to a man. Let the ace of spades be the death card. Whoever draws the ace of spades stays.”