Lateefa could see it plainly as the cards fell from Jehân's hand; cards that were in his favour; so much so that he could not avoid a triumphant smile.
The game seemed his, but he played a false card and lost a point.
He dashed the tricks down with such force that the springy plaited twine recoiled from the blow; recoiled and sprang up again.
Lateefa could see the green gleam more clearly than ever now, for the ring lay in the dust within reach of his hand. It had jumped from the bed, like a clay pigeon from a trap, under that petulant blow. But the players had not noticed it, they were going on with their game unconcernedly.
Only Lateefa's eyes were on that gold and green, half hidden in the dust!
'If thou hast the chance.' He heard the words as plainly as if Khôjee had been beside him.
But this was no chance. The loss would be discovered in a minute or two. And then it would be a mere question of search; for there could be no suspicion of any one else, since the bed on which those two were playing was set right across the only entrance to that well of wall in which there was no place of concealment--none!
No! it was not a chance!
Yet he heard his reply now--
'On my kites I promise; since they be my creatures, to fly or fail as I make them.'