The cowboy stopped halfway in his reach for the enormous pile of chips.
The Queen laid down her four clubs--Ace, King, Queen and ten--and for
the first time flipped over her fifth card.
It was the Jack of clubs.
"My God," the cowboy said, and it sounded like a prayer. "A royal
flush."
"Naturally," the Queen said. "What else?"
Her Majesty calmly scooped up the tremendous pile of chips. The cowboy's
hands fell away. Five mouths were open around the table.
Her Majesty stood up. She smiled sweetly at the men around the table.
"Thank you very much, gentlemen," she said. She handed the chips to
Malone, who took them in nerveless fingers. "Sir Kenneth," she said, "I
hereby appoint you temporary Chancellor of the Exchequer--at least until
Parliament convenes."
There was, Malone thought, at least thirty-five thousand dollars in the
pile. He could think of nothing to say.
So, instead of using up words, he went and cashed in the chips. For
once, he realized, the Government had made money on an investment. It
was probably the first time since 1775.
Malone thought vaguely that the Government ought to make more
investments like the one he was cashing in. If it did, the National Debt
could be wiped out in a matter of days.
He brought the money back. Boyd and the Queen were waiting for him, but
Barbara was still in the ladies' lounge. "She's on the way out," the
Queen informed him, and, sure enough, in a minute they saw the figure
approaching them. Malone smiled at her, and, tentatively, she smiled
back. They began the long march to the exit of the club, slowly and
regally, though not by choice.
The crowd, it seemed, wouldn't let them go. Malone never found out, then
or later, how the news of Her Majesty's winnings had gone through the
place so fast, but everyone seemed to know about it. The Queen was the
recipient of several low bows and a few drunken curtsies, and, when they
reached the front door at last, the doorman said in a most respectful
tone: "Good evening, Your Majesty."
The Queen positively beamed at him. So, to his own great surprise, did
Sir Kenneth Malone.
Outside, it was about four in the morning. They climbed into the car and
headed back toward the hotel.
* * * * *
Malone was the first to speak. "How did you know that was a Jack of
clubs?" he said in a strangled sort of voice.