o
them 180 guineas! In vain the astounded Mr D-- denied all knowledge
of the transaction; the gentlemen affected to be highly indignant, and
talked loudly of injured honour. Besides, had he not received 30 guineas
from their friend? So he assented, and appointed the next morning to
settle the matter.

Fortunately for Mr D--, however, some intelligent friends of his arrived
in the mean time, and having heard his statement about the whole affair,
they 'smelt a rat,' and determined to ferret it out. They examined the
waiter--previously handing him over five guineas--and this man declared
the truth that Mr D-- did not play at all--in fact, that he was in such
a condition that there could not be any real play. Dick England was
therefore 'blown' on this occasion. Mr D-- returned him his thirty
guineas, and paid five guineas for his share of the supper; and well he
might, considering that it very nearly cost him 150 guineas--that
is, having to receive 30 guineas and to pay 180 guineas to the
Greeks--profit and loss with a vengeance.

Being thus 'blown' at Scarborough, Dick England and his associates
decamped on the following morning.

He next formed a connection with a lieutenant on half pay, nephew to an
Irish earl. With this lieutenant he went to Spa, and realized something
considerable; but not without suspicion--for a few dice were missed.

Dick England returned to London, where he shortly disagreed with the
lieutenant. The latter joined the worthy before described, Captain
O'Kelly, who was also at enmity with Dick England; and the latter took
an opportunity of knocking their heads together in a public coffee-room,
and thrashing them both till they took shelter under the tables. Dick
had the strength of an ox, the ferocity of a bull-dog, and 'the cunning
of the serpent,' although what the latter is no naturalist has ever yet
discovered or explained.

The lieutenant determined on revenge for the thrashing. He had joined
his regiment, and he 'peached' against his former friend, disclosing to
the officers the circumstance of the dice at Spa, before mentioned; and,
of course, upset all the designs of Dick England and his associates.
This enraged all the blacklegs; a combination was formed against the
lieutenant; and he was shot through the head by 'a brother officer,' who
belonged to the confraternity.

The son of an earl lost forty thousand pounds in play to Dick England;
and shot himself at Stacie's Hotel in consequen