“No!” said Kingsley, with a voice of thunder, and as he spoke, he handed me the kerchief of money, which I grasped instantly, and thrust with some difficulty into my bosom. This was done instinctively; I really had no thoughts of what I was doing. Had I thought at all I should most probably have refused to receive it. “How!” exclaimed Cleveland, his face becoming suddenly pale. “The cast is mine--fifteen to twelve!” “Ay, scoundrel, but the game I played for is mine! As for the cast, you shall try another which you shall relish less. Do you see these?” He showed the dice which he had gathered from the table. The gambler made an effort to snatch them from his hands. “Try that again,” said Kingsley, “and I lay this hickory over your pate, in a way that shall be a warning to it for ever.” By this time several persons from the neighboring tables and the adjoining rooms, hearing the language of strife, came rushing in. Kingsley beheld their approach without concern. There were several old gamblers among them, but the greater number were young ones. “Gentlemen,” said Kingsley, “I am very glad to see you. You come at a good time. I am about to expose a scoundrel to you.” “You shall answer for this, sir,” stammered Cleveland, in equal rage and confusion. “Answer, shall I? By Jupiter! but you shall answer too! And you shall have the privilege of a first answer, shall you?” “Mr. Kingsley, what is the meaning of this?” was the demand of a tall, dark-featured man, who now made his appearance from an inner room, and whom I now learned, was, in fact, the proprietor of the establishment. “Ah! Radcliffe--but before another word is wasted put your fingers into the left breeches pocket of that scoundrel there, and see what you will find.” Cleveland would have resisted. Kingsley spoke again to Radcliffe, and this time in stern language, which was evidently felt by the person to whom it was addressed. “Radcliffe, your own credit--nay, safety--will depend upon your showing that you have no share in this rogue's practice. Search him, if you would not share his punishment.” The fellow was awed, and obeyed instantly. Himself, with three others, grappled with the culprit. He resisted strenuously, but in vain. He was searched, and from the pocket in question three dice were produced. “Very good,” said Kingsley; “now examine those dice, gentlemen, and see if you can detect one of my initials, the letter 'K,' which I scratched with a pin upon each of them.” The examination was made, and the letter was found, very small and very faint, it is true, but still legible, upon the ace square of each of the dice. “Very good,” continued Kingsley; “and now, gentlemen, with your leave--” He opened his hand and displayed the three dice with which Cleveland had last thrown.