Biscoe had on more than one occasion rambled through the empty room, and oblivious of the proximity of the servants, had been seen pocketing a pack of cards. This having been duly reported, he was made an especial object of interest to the committee; though, until he essayed to play, it was looked upon as the act of a kleptomaniac.
All this, however, was unknown to the culprit, who, with but one object, one aim in life, laughed at every reverse, and raked in his winnings when Fortune smiled on him. His luck as a whole had been fairly good, and thinking the moment a favourable one, he decided to increase his stakes.
It was now his deal, the “chemin de fer” was with him. “Come, gentlemen, let us plunge,” he jokingly remarked, as, producing a pocket-book, he placed it upon the pack. “I call twenty-five thousand francs.” (£1,000).
A keen observer might have detected certain ominous glances that passed between the polite Count and the bland Professor, but nothing was said, and amid the silence of the Catacombs, the game proceeded.
Five minutes later Biscoe was raking in £1,000 (in counters).
“Again, gentlemen!” he shouted, as flushed and excited, he had not observed that two or three players had risen, and the remainder, bewildered at so unusual a proceeding, stared at one another in blank astonishment.
“What’s up?” inquired Biscoe.
“D—d if I know,” was the laconic reply, as an Englishman left the table.
“The Committee, sir,” replied the Count, “have decided to count the cards, and on their authority I take possession of those before you.”
Meanwhile groups discussed the position and ominous expressions, such as “Il nous faut un agent de police,” and “C’est clair que nous avons été volés” were bandied about. A procès verbal also took place, presided over by the Duc de Richelieu, and within an hour it was known to every gamin in Nice that an English “milor” had descended to the level of a thimble-rigger, that his spurs had been hacked off by the fiat of public opinion, and that henceforth his place would know him no more.