Lord Consinor drew the dice toward him.
“See here, Prince,” said he, “let us try our luck with these antiquities. It is quicker and easier than écarté.”
“Very well,” consented Kāra. “What are the stakes?”
“Let us say a hundred pounds the throw.”
This suggestion startled the group of spectators; but Kāra said at once:
“I will agree to that, my lord.”
He lost once, twice, thrice.
Then, as Consinor, with a triumphant leer, pushed the dice toward him, Kāra thrust his hands in his pockets and said in a quiet voice to the onlookers:
“Gentlemen, I call upon you to witness that I am playing with a rogue. These dice are loaded.”
Following a moment’s horrified silence, the viscount sprang up with an oath.