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A TURN OF THE CARDS
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girl? He saw the hand lost to him, heard the other's triumphant breath hiss out on the overheated moment, and he did not care. As joylessly he knew that he had won the next game. As hopelessly he entered on the final struggle. Kings, jacks, aces — they moved mechanically before him ; Grey, Taylor, the detectives — shadows of men; jail, disgrace, what did it matter ? — his girl might be dying even now — might be dead, and he was
he been here — a moment or a year? His hat was pressed into his hands. He felt the fingers of the law, viselike upon his elbows. Suddenly Grey arose. He walked over to the maudlin creature, still shrilling his victory in the armchair, shook his sleeve and held up two cards contemptuously. "You cheat !"
Taylor shrieked and fell upon craven knees, pleading wildly.
"I gave you your chance," said
YOU CHEAT :
powerless to change the Fact lurking out yonder in the dark. A sudden shriek cut the thread of his thoughts. Taylor was leaning across the table, lips drawn from yellow teeth.
"I've won!" he was shouting; "d'ye hear me? I've won! and it's you who goes to jail ! I've won — won — won!" he was swaying and sobbing in his relief. Jack's dull eyes fell upon the upturned cards. Defeated ! Jail ! What did it matter ? He stumbled to his feet. What of Nan? Was the operation over yet? How long had
Grey, coolly. ' 1 Officers, arrest this fellow. Let the other one go. I dont intend to accuse him."
Richards leaned numbly against the table as the pitiable figure of the "man who wanted to live" was dragged away, clawing and writhing. He felt no relief at his own escape. Then, at his very elbow, the telephone spoke. Grey leaned forward, puffing.
" 'Lo — Richards? Yes, he's here. For you "
The cold, black cylinder shook in Jack's hand. Great drops sprang to