“You said you had four aces,” whimpered Mrs. Fogg when the case was decided against her. “I did not, did I, Mr. Edwards?” “I don’t remember,” replied he, wishing that he had had sense enough to go into the billiard room and stay there instead of making such an idiot of himself. “I simply said that I drew that card to see if I could get anything better than four aces. Now, isn’t that what you would call a bluff?” “Yes; and it was a good one, too,” said he admiringly. “Besides Mrs. Fogg had six cards, and—” “Well she didn’t have the four aces, and that isn't half as honest as my having six cards. You told me, and you know it very well, that I was to get as many pairs as I could. She didn’t have the aces, and I did have three pairs, and I am entitled to the beans, so now!” The woman with the fine teeth looked dreamily at the gambler and silently laid down her hand. There were four aces and a king. None of the others had anything to beat this, and she smiled bewitchingly at him as he awarded her the beans, whereat Mrs. Fogg flew into a violent passion and sobbed tearlessly, until the poor man did not know what to do. She continued until he was ready to throw up the whole affair and leave as she said: “I just don’t care! I am sure Mr. Edwards just picked those cards out on purpose for her. I don’t want the old beans. I detest beans, only I believe in standing up for principle, and I know that gamblers—professional gamblers—do cheat at cards.” “I think that a gambler—even a professional gambler—would have to be very unprincipled to try to win with six cards when he knew that that was the worst kind of cheating,” said the old maid, taking up the man’s defense with such an air of having the right to champion his cause that his jaw dropped and he made a movement as if for flight. At this point quite a number of other ghosts who had gathered around them began to clap their hands, and one said: “Go in, little woman, and win. You will make a famous player in time.” The little belligerent hurriedly arose and said angrily: “If Mr. Fogg were only here, you would see what would happen. I won't stay here to be abused. I was lowering myself anyway.” “I think so, too,” said the old maid, “but it was by the way you have acted and not from your association with anyone here. We can spare you without sorrow.” By this time several more had gathered, and the ladies, seeing that they were attracting more attention than they desired, left the card room so suddenly that the newspaper man could not tell which way they went. Then he looked for the big ghost. He, too, had disappeared. So the reporter, left to himself, decided to go and find the leader and tell him the outcome of the affair.