istened as well as watched, cried:

"Monsieur plays the stakes too low. Fortune favors the brave," and
reaching over she took several gold pieces from my store, laid them out
and leaned close beside me to watch the throw. In this position she
whispered:

"I have the key to the outer door. The inner door will be unlocked.
Monsieur will play twice more, and by that time I will be in the
passage. Arise, and when you lay your hand upon the door I will open
it from the other side." I lost the throw.

"Double the wager, and better luck next time," she laughed as she moved
off, and joking lightly to different men she knew, made her way beyond
my range of vision. During the play I saw Yvard come in hurriedly and
question the man at the door. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his
head. Yvard evidently asked who had passed out or in.

The doorkeeper then recollected, and I imagined he was telling of the
two gentlemen who had just gone down the stair. Yvard stood an instant
as if uncertain what to do. He was much agitated and perfectly sober.
He glanced toward the table where he had left me. I was gone. He
strode over to his confederate, yet engaged in play, and made no
pretense of concealing the abruptness of his question. The man, in
reply, indicated my position at the other table. Yvard appeared
somewhat relieved. Again he spoke, and this time the man at the table
gathered up the money in front of him and replaced it in his purse.
Then he cried loud enough for me to hear:

"What?"

And sprang up instantly. They both looked at me and held a hurried
consultation, then separated, and one going one way, one the other,
came over toward where I sat. By this time my second throw was made,
and I felt if Florine played me false the game was lost. Yet hoping
for everything I rose quietly, and thrusting my winnings in a
wallet--for I had been fortunate--stepped back and laid my hand upon
the knob. It was locked.

I had no time to think, but saw the whole trick; lured to my
destruction, hemmed in beyond hope of escape. Bitterly I repented my
folly.

I have heard men say they faced death without a tremor, and so for that
matter have I, yea, many times, but it was upon an honest field in
lawful fight for honor's sake or duty's. My cheek paled in spite of
me, at sight of the men who now came on. Three others with blades half
drawn pressed close behind Yvard. How many more there were I had no
knowledge.

I