They were standing together closely watching the roulette at one of the centre tables. People were crowding four deep around it, but mostly the stakes were five-franc pieces, the minimum allowed. "By Jove!" Zertho exclaimed at last, turning to the Captain. "See what a run the red is having!" "Fourteen times in succession, m'sieur," observed a man at their elbow, consulting his card. "It won't again. Watch," Brooker answered briefly, closely interested in the game. Next moment the ball was sent spinning around outside the revolving disc of black and red; the croupier with sphinx-like countenance uttered his monotonous cry, "_Rien ne va plus_!" and after breathless silence the rattle told that the ivory had fallen. Brooker's prophecy proved correct. The black had gained. "Going to risk anything?" inquired Zertho, with a smile. "No," interrupted Liane earnestly. "Dad will not. He has already promised me." The Captain, his hand trembling in his pocket, turned to his daughter with a smile. "Surely you won't deprive him of winning a few louis?" Zertho exclaimed. "Be generous, just this once, dearest." Smiling, she turned to her father with a glance of inquiry. "I have promised," he observed quietly. "I do not break my pledge to you, unless with your permission." Already the people, eager to tempt Fortune, were placing their money on the yellow lines upon the table, and while they spoke Zertho tossed a couple of louis upon the simple chance of the black. The game was made, black won, and he received back his stake with two louis in addition. The sight of Zertho winning stirred Erle Brooker's blood. He had watched the run of the table sufficiently to know from experience that the chances were again in favour of the red, and with quick resolve he threw upon the scarlet diamond two notes for one hundred francs apiece. Liane made a sudden movement to stay his hand, but too late. Then, with lips compressed she looked at him with bitter reproach, but uttered no word. The little ivory ball had already been launched on it way. "_Rien ne va plus_!" cried the croupier an instant later, and the ball next second clicked into its socket. Red won. The croupier tossed over to him two notes of the same value as those he had staked, and he took them up with an amused smile at his companions. "Really, dad," cried Liane, pouting prettily, "it is too bad of you to break your promise. I only came with you on one condition, namely, that you wouldn't play." "Well, I've won ten louis, so no great harm has been done," he answered. "But there is harm," she protested firmly. "When once you come to the tables you cannot, you know, leave until you've won, or lost everything. I thought you had, for my sake, given it up." They had drawn aside from the table, and were standing in the middle of the handsome room. "This is only in fun, Liane," Zertho assured her. "We are neither of us any longer professionals. Our day is over."