'You have already told me with your wager. You must have won him.'
'Exactly. You've hit it, and it was in this way. About three months ago I was returning to Paris attended but by Vallon, and with only a small sum with me. At an inn at Neuilly I met an acquaintance, a Baron d'Ayen, one of the last of the mignons, and a confirmed gambler.'
'I know him,' I said, my heart beginning to beat faster at the very thought of d'Ayen.
'Then it makes the story more interesting. We dined together, and then had a turn at the dice, with the result that d'Ayen won every ecu that I had.
'"It would be a pity to stop now," he said, as I rose, declaring myself broken. "Suppose we play for your horse, compte?'"
'"No, thanks," I replied; "luck is against me, and I have no mind to foot it to my hotel. But I'll tell you what, I have rather taken a fancy to your man, since I once saw him handle a rapier. I'll lay Vallon against him; what do you call him?"
'"Ravaillac. He is of Anjouleme, and has been a Flagellant. Will he suit you?"
'"I shall have to find that out. Do you accept the stakes?"
'"Mon ami, I would play for my soul in this cursed inn."
'"Very well, then—throw."