“By Jove! so do I.”
“The thing we’re both thinking of has raised the devil in me. But let us not bother about it now. I’ve got something else in my mind. I’m half-mad, and intend fighting the tiger.”
“Fighting the tiger! What do you mean by that, Ned? I don’t quite comprehend.”
“You soon will. If you wish it, I’ll give you a little preliminary explanation.”
“Yes, do. Perhaps I can assist you.”
“No, you can’t. There’s only one who can.”
“Who is he?”
“It is not a he, but a she: the Goddess of Fortune. I intend soliciting her favours; if she but grant them, I’ll smash Mr De Lara’s Monté bank.”
“Impossible! There’s no probability of your being able to do that.”
“Not much probability, I admit. Still there’s a possibility. I’ve seen such a thing done before now. Bold play and big luck combined will do it. I’m in for the first; whether I have the last, remains to be seen. In any case, I’ll either break the bank, or lose all I’ve got on me—which by chance is a pretty big stake to begin with. So here goes!”