“Well, so you were; there's no gainsaying that.”
Maurice said some more uncomplimentary things.
“It was neatly done, you will admit. Life is a game of cards; he wins who plays first.”
“Or he doesn't. Colonel, a game is won only when it is played'.”
“That's true enough.”
“Kings are a tolerable bother on earth,” Maurice declared, trying to ease his wrists by holding them higher against his back.
“What do you know about them?”
“When I was in the army I often fell in with three or four of a night.”
“Eh?—kings?”
“Yes; but usually I was up against aces or straight flushes.”