Miss Keane shrugged her shoulders. "She is a little bit hysterical, you know. One moment, she vows she will shut up the flat and go abroad, for fear of the nasty things that people will say. The next moment, she says that, confident in her perfect innocence, she will stay and face the music, and give her parties as usual." "Has she asked your advice?" queried Spencer. "She has, and my advice is to go on as usual. It is not her fault that blacklegs have crept into her circle. They creep into the best houses, the best clubs. So long as this cursed gambling goes on, there will be sharpers." "That's true," remarked Spencer, remembering a few episodes that had occurred in his time. "And, I suppose, you will still cast in your lot with her?" The look on the beautiful face grew more pathetic than ever. "What can I do, Mr Spencer? I have told you my position. I wish my cousin were a different woman altogether, I wish she were not so infatuated with this horrible gambling. But I cannot influence her. She is too old and set to turn over a new leaf." Every moment the girl's fascination took a deeper hold of him. She was so very beautiful, so very seductive. But he still kept himself in check. "Tell me what actually happened last night. How were Esmond and his partner found out?" There was a little interruption by the solemn-faced butler who brought in tea. Miss Keane busied herself amongst the cups before she replied. "It is, as I told you, all a nightmare to me. I was wandering aimlessly about; as I have told you before, I never play, I loathe cards too much. Suddenly there was a scene at the table where Mr Esmond and his partner were playing. Three men were standing watching the game, they had come here often, I knew their names." "They were friends of Mrs L'Estrange?" queried Spencer. Just a faint shade of hesitation crept into the low voice. "Oh yes, friends of my cousin." "Straight sort of chaps, of course." "I have no doubt of that. They accused Mr Esmond and his partner, Major Golightly, of cheating. Of course the charge was denied, but very half-heartedly. These three men were backed by others who had seen something suspicious. It seems Mr Esmond and his partner had aroused suspicion before. Finally they confessed, and slunk out of the house." She paused a moment, and then laid her hand impulsively on his arm. "That first night you came to our house, you lost. Did you play at the same table with Tommy Esmond? I forget." The answer came straight. "No, I lost something, what was it?-- something about a hundred and fifty. But Tommy Esmond did not rook me that time, he was playing at another table. I remember he was very cock-a-hoop, he was winning hand over fist. I say, I know I am putting a very impertinent question, but were Tommy Esmond and his partner, this Major Golightly, the only sharpers who came to this flat? Did I lose my hundred and fifty, or whatever it was, quite honestly?"