'Soon after taking my stand at the board of green cloth, so as to have a good view of the game, and to watch the conflicting emotions depicted on the countenances of these devotees of the fickle goddess, I felt a gentle tap on the shoulder, and turning round, beheld at my side General Valiente.
''Would you, Señor Rideau, have the goodness to give me an ounce in exchange for sixteen dollars?'
''Certainly, General.' And I immediately handed it to him, placing the dollars he gave me in return, on the table immediately before me.
''You had better see if it is all right,' said he.
''It is not necessary, General.'
''Oh! I beg of you to count them, an error is so easily committed.'
'Accordingly I counted the pile, and found there were only fifteen.
''You see now, Señor, how necessary it is to be particular. I am delighted now that I pressed upon you to examine them; you see I owe you a dollar.' Saying which, he turned to the table and put down his stake.
'After two or three games, I suggested to my friend that it was about time to leave, but before retiring, I just put down five dollars as my one offering to chance. A very short suspense was all that I had to endure, for in a minute my card won.
'The croupier, after raking in his winnings and paying two or three of his losses, took up my stake, and after quietly glancing at each coin, held them out toward me, and said: