"Then say your prayers," said my brother-in-law. "For, as I live, that ball's going to pick out——"
"Zero."
I never remember such a scene.
Everybody in the room seemed to be shouting. I know I was. Respectable Spaniards stamped upon the floor like bulls. The Frenchmen, who with Berry and several others had backed the winner, were clasping one another and singing the Marseillaise. The beautifully dressed American was wringing Adèle's hand. The old gentleman in the blue suit was on his feet and appeared to be making a speech. The Spanish girl was standing upon her chair waving a handkerchief….
In vain the smiling croupiers appealed for order….
As the tumult subsided—
"Seven times in ten spins," said Berry. "Well, I think that'll do.
We'll just run up the board on the even chances…."
There was no holding him.
Before I knew where I was, he had set twelve thousand pesetas apiece on
'RED,' 'ODD,' and 'UNDER 19.'
Some fourteen hundred pounds on a single spin.