Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/97

Rh disciple of the late Francis Farmer's I have had the pleasure of meeting. You have what made him the man he was—his impudence."

"I pay no attention at this moment to this person's insinuations. After what has passed I insist on returning the moneys I have won."

"That would be advisable. It will save us trouble afterwards."

"Please to understand that I shall remain with you in this carriage until we reach Brighton. I shall then require you to accompany me to my residence. There I shall place before you ample proof that this person is an impudent traducer, and a barefaced liar."

"Softly at that. Let us wait for the adjectives still a little longer. There are one or two little points which you have forgotten in the excellent and copious explanation with which you have seen fit to favour us. Perhaps you will allow me to glance at the cards which you are holding in your hand?"

I gave him them.

"Here we have the ace, king, queen, four of clubs, and king of diamonds. A nice little hand. Perhaps you will be so kind as to tell me how many cards there are in the remainder of that pack?"

Mr. Armitage, being thus appealed to, took up the pack of cards which was lying on the seat at my side, and having added his own hand and Mr. BurcheU's, proceeded to count them. He announced the result.

"There are forty-two cards here."

"And five I hold make forty-seven. It is perhaps