But the girl's inspiration was gone, and Paul's knowledge of this form of gambling availed him nothing. Time after time they lost until practically nothing remained of the great pile of money which had been stacked on the table before her when he had entered the room.
The girl watched the money dwindle with every evidence of consternation.
Paul sought to console her.
"Don't despair," he whispered. "I think I have enough with me to see us through."
When he had at first sat down to assist her she had stared at him with considerable astonishment. Now she appeared utterly confused.
"I don't understand," she said in a low voice. "You have certainly done your best to help me, but I cannot see why you wish me to win."
Paul turned and looked her full in the eyes.
"How long will it be," he asked in a low voice, "before you come to trust me?"
Without further word he drew from his pocket the liberal supply of bank-notes with which he had prepared himself for his evening's play, and laid them on the table before his astonished companion.
As this little scene had attracted more attention from those about him than pleased Verdayne, he indicated with a slight nod to the croupier to proceed, and calmly placed a pile of gold pieces of large denomination on the green double nought.