“So _I_ thought; but, as I’ve got a few pounds to spare, you are welcome to them, captain.” “No, thank you, Ben; but where did you pick up the money?” “At the old ‘Bull and Mouth.’” “Indeed!” “Yes, the old house is full of people, and there card-playing is going on both night and day. There’s one chap there as must have won over a thousand pounds these last few days.” “What’s his name?” “Gingles—Captain Gingles, I think they call him.” “Ah! you don’t say so? What sort of a fellow is he?” “Well, he’s rather tall, and strong-looking; but he’s got a grey head and long hair, and wears spectacles, and stoops like a very old man.” “Not much good in a quarrel or a fight, I suppose” “Him! Bless your heart, no; he’s as gentle as a child, and, I warrant me, as weak as a cat.” This description of the person to whom Redgill addressed his note so pleased Captain Jack that he altered his mind again for the hundredth time, and resolved to take and present the note himself, and thus pocket the large sum bargained for. He soon got rid of Ben, and, with a light heart, bent his steps towards the well-known inn. He was muffled up to the eyes, and when he had ordered a bottle of wine and other luxuries, he entered the card-room and seated himself in a quiet corner. He cast a quick glance around him, and instantly perceived old Gingles, who had at his elbow a large sum in gold. Card playing was now at its height, and so tempting did it appear to Captain Jack, that, after a time, he joined them, and for the first hour won a good stake. Heated with wine, and flushed with his unexpected success, he made a very heavy bet with old Gingles, and, to the astonishment of all present, _lost_ it! Gingles raked the heap of shining gold into his old hat and put it into his pocket with a wicked grin which almost drove Captain Jack mad. Captain Jack lost every farthing he had, and was so aggravated that he could have danced around the room with passion, and felt as if he could have shot old Gingles, who, calm, quiet, and unruffled, played on, and still continued to win with astonishing good fortune. “No matter,” thought Captain Jack, “he will have to pay me a thousand pounds for his friend, which will make me all right again. I wish they’d stop playing, I want to present this note, and learn what he’ll do in the matter. If he refuses, I’ll get one or two of my lads to waylay the old rascal and rob him. I’ll have his money, by fair means or by foul!” Midnight had long chimed, and still the play continued. The “noble captain” felt very sore about his losses at cards, and chewed the end of his cigar in a terrible temper. “I should like to get up a game to beat old Gingles,” thought he; but ere he had sat long in meditation a great cheer rose from the card-table. “Gingles won it.” “No, he didn’t.” “I say he did.” “I’ll swear he didn’t.” “You lie, old Gingles!” said the other, who was called Alick, and a notorious card-sharper.