Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/98

74 my ignorance, but I have always supposed that fifty-two constitute a pack of cards. Perhaps you will be able to tell us what has become of the other five?"

The inquiry was addressed to me.

"How should I know?"

"You have not got them, by the merest chance, in either of your pockets."

"If you are not careful you will go too far!"

"That would be a pity. I should think that, for you, I've gone far enough already. Perhaps it would not be too much trouble to feel, say, in the left-hand pocket of that elegant summer overcoat which you have on."

"You impudent"

I stopped short. Thrusting my hand into my left pocket, to my unutterable amazement, it lighted upon what unmistakably were cards. I drew them out The stranger snatched them from me. He held them up in the air.

"Hey, presto—the missing five! I thought there might have been an accident. Now let us see what cards they are. Ace, king, queen, and four of hearts, the ace of clubs—another pretty little hand! Perhaps, gentlemen, you commence to see how it is done?"

"I think I do," said Mr. Armitage.

"I am sure I do," said Mr. Burchell.

"If—if you think that I put those cards in my pocket," I began to stammer. Mr. Burchell interrupted me—

"Pray do not trouble to offer any wholly unnecessary explanations. Perhaps you will be so good as to return the money which you have won."