res and hangings testified to the taste of the man
who had selected them; but they were abominably disposed, and there
were too many of them.

The room, which was unusually large, held two or three leather divans,
an English buffet, and many easy chairs. A smoking-table, covered,
stood in one corner.

Groups of men were gathered about each of the three roulette wheels
ranged along the farther side. Through a door to the left could be
seen the poker tables, surrounded by grave or jocular faces. Above the
low buzz of conversation there sounded the continual droning voices of
the croupiers as they called the winning numbers, and an occasional
exclamation from a "customer."

I made my way to the center wheel and stood at the rear of the crowd
surrounding it.

The ball rolled; there was a straining of necks amid an intense
silence; then, as the little pellet wavered and finally came to a rest
in the hole number twenty-four a fervent oath of disappointment came
from some one in front of me.

The next moment, rising on tiptoe to look over the intervening
shoulders, I found myself looking into the white face of my younger
brother Harry.

"Paul!" he exclaimed, turning quickly away.

I pushed my way through and stood at his side. There was no sound from
the group of onlookers; it is not to be wondered at if they hesitated
to offend Paul Lamar.

"My dear boy," said I, "I missed you at dinner. And though this may
occupy your mind, it can scarcely fill your stomach. Haven't you had
enough?"

Harry looked at me. His face was horribly pale and his eyes bloodshot;
they could not meet mine.

"For Heaven's sake, Paul, let me alone," he said, hardly above a
whisper. "I have lost ninety thousand."

In spite of myself I started. No wonder he was pale! And yet--

"That's nothing," I whispered back. "But you are making a show of
yourself. Just now you were swearing like a sailor. See how your hand
trembles! You were not made for this, Harry; it makes you forget that
you're a gentleman. They are laughing at you. Come."

"But I say I have lost ninety thousand dollars," said the boy, and
there was wildness in his eye. "Let me alone, Paul."

"I will repay you."

"No. Let me alone!"

"Harry!"

"I say no!"

His mouth was drawn tight and his eyes glared sullenly as those of a
stubborn child. Clearly it was impossible to get him away without
making a scene, which was unthinkable. For a moment I was at a