“Have they ever looked for marked cards after playing with Darleton?” asked Frank, in such a low tone that no one save Hugh could hear and understand him. “Frequently.” “Never found them marked?” “Never. They are not marked. I fancied you might think they were. We’ve had experts, regular card sharps, examine packs used in games when he has won heavily.” Still Merry was not satisfied on this point. “If they are not marked,” he thought, “Darleton must have an accomplice who gives him tips. The latter seems utterly impossible, and, therefore, the cards must be marked.” Occasionally Darleton glanced at Merriwell, but every time it seemed that Frank was giving him no attention at all. Yet every move on the part of the successful player was watched by the young man who had resolved to solve the mystery. For some time after the appearance of the fresh pack of cards Darleton did little betting. Still he seemed to examine each hand dealt him, and his manner of examining the hands was very critical, as if weighing their value. The cards interested him greatly, although he did not bet. “Your luck has turned,” cried one of the players. “You haven’t done a thing since the fresh pack was brought.” “Oh, I’ll get after you again directly,” smiled Darleton. “I’m waiting for the psychological moment, that’s all.” Frank noted that the fellow frequently put his hand into the side pocket of his coat. Although he did this, he did not seem to take anything out of that pocket. Still, after a while, the watcher began to fancy these careless, but often repeated movements had something to do with the mystery. At last, Darleton seemed to get a hand to his liking. It was on his own deal, and two other players held good hands, one a straight and the other a flush. When Darleton was finally called he exhibited a full hand and raked in the money. “You see!” muttered Morton, in Merry’s ear. “No, I don’t see,” admitted Frank; “but I mean to.” Morton was growing tired. He yawned, straightened up and sauntered about. Frank rose, stretched himself a little, looked on at another table a few moments, and finally brought himself to a position behind Darleton’s chair without attracting Darleton’s attention. From this point he once more began to watch the playing in which he was so keenly interested. Morton observed this change, but said nothing, although to him it seemed like wasted time on Frank’s part. From his new position Merriwell was able to see into Darleton’s hands, and the style of play followed by the fellow surprised him even more. At the very outset he saw Darleton drop two pairs, kings up, without attempting to bet them and without even showing them to any one. In the end it developed that another player held winning cards, having three five spots; but this player had drawn three cards, and before the betting began there seemed nothing to indicate that he could beat kings up.