"There are several reasons,"—briefly.
"Ah!"
"I have seen a man's hand pinned to that card; therefore it is gruesome."
"Some card-sharper?"
He nodded. "Then again, I lost a small fortune because of that card,"—diffidently.
"Poker?"
"Yes. Why will a man try to fill a royal flush? The man next to me drew the ten of hearts, the very card I needed. The sight of it always unnerves me. I beg your pardon."
"Oh, that's all right," said I, wondering how many more lies he had up his sleeve.
"And there's still another reason. I saw a man put six bullets into the two central spots, and an hour later the seventh bullet snuffed the candle of a friend of mine. I am from the West."
"I can sympathize with you," I returned. "After all that trouble, the sight of the card must have given you a shock."