Murmurs began to arise. Play seldom ran so high in the cercle. It was too much.
“Assez, assez,” growled the Genevese citizens.
But the rest of the table was athrill with excitement.
“Two hundred and fifty,” cried the German.
“Four hundred,” said Hockmaster.
“Five!” screamed the German.
“The gentleman can have that bank,” drawled Hockmaster. “And I'll go banco.”
Which means that he would play one hand against the new banker for the whole amount of the bank—£400.
There was a death-like silence. The German, looking pallid and flabby, took his seat. The stakes were deposited on the table. The croupier placed the fresh packs on the rest before the new banker. With trembling fingers the German slipped the two cards apiece to Hockmaster and himself. The American allowed his cards to remain in front of him for a moment as he looked up at Raine, who was standing behind him, also under the spell of the general excitement.
“If I lose this, I take the next tramcar back to Chicago.”