"He bent over the table ... stretched out his white, white hand ... turned over the ace ... lifted his quizzing glass ... and stared down at the card. Then he dropped the glass and drew out his snuff-box.... It had Aphrodite enamelled on the lid. I remember it so distinctly.... I heard Tracy ask Milward to examine the ace. I wanted to spring up and strangle him.... I could scarce keep my hands still." Richard paused. He drew his hand across his eyes, shuddering. "Milward saw the scratch. He cried out that the cards were marked! Suddenly everyone seemed to be gathered about our table--all talking! Jack had his hand on my shoulder; he and Dare were running through the pack. But all the while I could look at no one but Tracy--Andover. He seemed so sinister, so threatening, in those black clothes of his. His eyes were almost shut--his face so white. And he was looking at me! He seemed to be reading my very soul.... For an instant I thought he knew! I wanted to shout out that he was wrong! I wanted to shriek to him to take his eyes away! Heaven knows what I should have done!... but he looked away--at Jack, with that sneering smile on his damned mask of a face! I could have killed him for that smile! I think Jack understood it--he dropped the cards, staring at Tracy. "Everyone was watching them ... no one looked at me. If they had they must surely have learnt the truth; but they were hanging on Andover's lips, looking from him to Jack and back again.... I remember Fitzgerald dropped his handkerchief--I was absurdly interested in that. I was wondering why he did not pick it up, when Andover spoke again.... 'And Carstares' luck turned...?' Like that, Warburton! With just that faint, questioning in his voice. "Before Jack could speak there was an outcry. Dare cried 'Shame!' to Andover. They laughed at him, as well they might. But I saw them exchange glances--they were wondering.... It was suspicious that Jack should have had that run of luck--and that he should lose as soon as he left that table. "Milward--poor, silly Milward--gaped at Tracy and stuttered that surely 'twas another pack we had used. I could hardly breathe! Then Andover corrected him--How did he _know_? No one else remembered, or thought of noticing--only he! "I can see Jack now, standing there so stiffly, with his head thrown up, and those blue eyes of his flashing. "'Do I understand you to accuse me, Belmanoir?' he said. Oh, but he was furious! "Tracy never said a word. Only his eyes just flickered to my face and away again. "Jack's hand was gripping my shoulder hard. I could feel his anger.... Dare called out that the suggestion was preposterous. That John should cheat! "Tracy asked him if the cards were his. Gad! I can hear his soft, mocking voice now! "Dare went purple--you know his way, Warburton. "'Opened in your presence on this table!' he cried. "'By Carstares!' smiled Tracy.