gain, for you won't
catch me stand and look on a second time. We must think of some way
out of the mess. I had no idea you were a chap of that sort! There,
let me have the gun."

One of his hands fell kindly on my shoulder, while the other slipped
into my overcoat pocket, and I suffered him to deprive me of my weapon
without a murmur. Nor was this simply because Raffles had the subtle
power of making himself irresistible at will. He was beyond comparison
the most masterful man whom I have ever known; yet my acquiescence was
due to more than the mere subjection of the weaker nature to the
stronger. The forlorn hope which had brought me to the Albany was
turned as by magic into an almost staggering sense of safety. Raffles
would help me after all! A. J. Raffles would be my friend! It was as
though all the world had come round suddenly to my side; so far
therefore from resisting his action, I caught and clasped his hand with
a fervor as uncontrollable as the frenzy which had preceded it.

"God bless you!" I cried. "Forgive me for everything. I will tell you
the truth. I DID think you might help me in my extremity, though I
well knew that I had no claim upon you. Still--for the old school's
sake--the sake of old times--I thought you might give me another
chance. If you wouldn't I meant to blow out my brains--and will still
if you change your mind!"

In truth I feared that it was changing, with his expression, even as I
spoke, and in spite of his kindly tone and kindlier use of my old
school nickname. His next words showed me my mistake.

"What a boy it is for jumping to conclusions! I have my vices, Bunny,
but backing and filling is not one of them. Sit down, my good fellow,
and have a cigarette to soothe your nerves. I insist. Whiskey? The
worst thing for you; here's some coffee that I was brewing when you
came in. Now listen to me. You speak of 'another chance.' What do
you mean? Another chance at baccarat? Not if I know it! You think
the luck must turn; suppose it didn't? We should only have made bad
worse. No, my dear chap, you've plunged enough. Do you put yourself in
my hands or do you not? Very well, then you plunge no more, and I
undertake not to present my check. Unfortunately there are the other
men; and still more unfortunately, Bunny, I'm as hard up at this moment
as you are yourself!"

It was my turn to stare at Raffles. "You?" I vociferated. "You hard
up? How am I to sit her