“So be it,” said Lord Hastings. “Give me the deck, Grigsby.”
Grigsby produced a dirty and grimy pack of playing cards, and gave it to Lord Hastings. Slowly the commander of the D-16 counted the cards to make sure they were all there, then shuffled them gently. Next he placed the deck in the center of the table in the middle of the room and turned to Frank.
“Cut,” he directed briefly.
Frank advanced to the table with steady tread, and with as steady a hand cut the cards.
“Now,” said Lord Hastings, “let us all stand around the table, and, each in turn, draw a card. The man who draws the ace of spades stays. Is it understood?”
There was a general nod of assent, and all gathered around the table. Lord Hastings stood first, next was Jack, then Frank, then the German prisoner and following him the sailors.
“I shall draw the first card,” said Lord Hastings, “and then the draw shall pass around to my left. Here goes!”
Midst a death-like silence he stretched forth a hand and drew a card, which he exposed to the view of all. It was the ace of clubs.
Jack stretched forth a steady hand, and drew the two of spades. Frank drew the five of clubs, and the German the ace of diamonds.
The draw came again to Lord Hastings and the ace of spades was still hidden in the deck.