Soon we were
arranged, Anscombe, who was to be my partner, opposite to me in
his long chair, and the game began.
I forget what particular variant of cards it was we played,
though I know it admitted of high and progressive stakes. At
first, however, these were quite moderate and we won, as I
suppose we were meant to do. After half an hour or so Marnham
rose to help himself to brandy and water, a great deal of brandy
and very little water, while I took a nip of Hollands, and
Anscombe and Rodd filled their pipes.
"I think this is getting rather slow," said Rodd to Anscombe. "I
vote we put a bit more on."
"As much as you like," answered Anscombe with a little drawl and
twinkle of the eye, which always showed that he was amused.
"Both Quatermain and I are born gamblers. Don't look angry,
Quatermain, you know you are. Only if we lose you will have to
take a cheque, for I have precious little cash."
"I think that will be good enough," replied the doctor
quietly--"if you lose."
So the stakes were increased to an amount that made my hair stand
up stiffer even than usual, and the game went on. Behold! a
marvel came to pass. How it happened I do not know, unless
Marnham had brought the wrong cards by mistake or had grown too
fuddled to understand his partner's telegraphic signals, which I,
being accustomed to observe, saw him make, not once but often,
still we won! What is more, with a few set-backs, we went on
winning, till presently the sums written down to our credit, for
no actual cash passed, were considerable.
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