"'I say, Cuthbert,' said he, 'isn't this a bit tumultuous and headlong, as it were?'
"'I don't see why you should consider it so, Joe,' replied Cuthbert. 'I'm playing according to the value of my hand. However, if it seems to strong, why'——
"'No, no, no,' put in Lescolette, quickly. 'I can stand it, and I do not seek to have you lower any of your raises. I simply was considering my own almost invincible strength herein.'
"'I stood pat, and you drew a card, you know,' said Cuthbert. 'I rarely bluff. You are to regard me as a bit of an Atlas in this likewise. You see the $10,000 raise?'
"'Surely' said Lescolette, 'and elevate it another notch of $10,000. Will one of you gentlemen'—addressing the somewhat wrought-up group of lookers-on—'keep track of this with a bit of a pencil?'
"One of the men in the group got out a note-book and stood by to register the bets.
"'Having emerged from the narrow domain of chance into the field of uncertainty,' said Cuthbert, 'I fear me I'll have to make it still another $10,000, Joe.'
"Lescolette, the more common-sense man of the two, rested his hands on the table before him and reflected.
"'I don't think I want any more of this, Cuthbert,' he said. 'There is now a great deal of money in the pot. It would be idle for either one of us to say that we could easily afford to lose our respective share in the pot as it stands. And yet, I don't exactly feel like calling you. I'm too well fixed. I haven't had such a hand at poker since'——
"'That being the case,' said Cuthbert, interrupting, 'why not be a sportsman and play your string?'