"No, no," his friends cried out together. "Enough, Tom; get up and go to bed."
"Colonel Lanyon," he said, "and friends all—gentlemen of this honourable company"—he ran his words together as men in liquor use—but they understood him perfectly. "I will play as high as I like; and as deep as I like; and as long as I like. I will play till I have stripped every man among you to the very bones. Why do I say this? Because, gentlemen, after Friday night I shall be the richest man in the county. D'ye hear? The richest man in the county. You don't know how? Very well. Do you think I am going to tell you? Ho! ho! when you hear the news, you'll say, 'twas only Tom—only Tom Rising—had the courage to venture and to win."
"He means the hazard table," said the colonel.
"No; not the hazard table," Tom went on. "Oh! I know the table and the woman who keeps the bank, and pretends to weep when you lose. I know about her. I've heard talk about her. What is it? Don't remember. Tell you to-morrow."
"He should stop talking," said the colonel, "we must not listen to his wanderings."
"Richest man in the county," he repeated. "Colonel, I like your company. You lay down your money like a man. In a week, colonel, I'll have it all; there shan't be a guinea left among you all. Richest man in county—make—guineas—fly." His head sunk down again. He was once more speechless.
His friends looked from one to the other. What did Tom Rising mean?
"Gentlemen," said the colonel, "he has been drinking for many days. He has some kind of a fit upon him. After a sleep he will be better. Just now he dreams of riches. I have known men in such a condition to see animals, and think that they are hunted by rats and clawed by devils."
Again Tom lifted his head and babbled confusedly.
"The richest man—the richest man in the whole county. After Friday night—not to-night—after Friday night. I have found out a short way to fortune. The richest man in the county."