"Why, yes--of course you have. She was playing trente-et-quarante the
other night, and nothing could stop her winning. She won a maximum and
went on and on, simply raking in the money. You and I were there
together. I am sure you must remember."
"_That_ girl!"
The tone in which he uttered these words surprised me. Could it be Vera
of whom they had been speaking? According to Lord Logan she had won
heavily at trente-et-quarante. And if so, who was this man, this
partner and friend of Dago Paulton's? And what could the secret
syndicate be in which both were interested?
I had my back to the door, and the middle-aged man who spoke between his
teeth and was lying back in the lounge chair was almost facing me.
Suddenly, a look of recognition came into his eyes--he had seen some one
behind me enter, whom he knew.
"Ah, here is good old Dago," he exclaimed. He held up his hand and
signalled to him.
I had fitted a cigarette into my holder, struck a match, and lit up
slowly, while I composed my thoughts. Now I half-turned to gaze upon
this man of whom I had heard so much, and was now to see for the first
time.