bank, and I was carrying an uncomfortably large sum in gold-bills. As
I opened the wallet to extract a small bill, I saw the stranger eying
me quietly. Well, well, the dullest being brightens at the sight of
money and its representatives. I drew out a small bill and handed it
to the proprietor. He took it, together with the mask, and sidled over
to the cash-register. The bell gave forth a muffled sound, not unlike
that of a fire-bell in a snow-storm. As he was in the act of wrapping
up my purchase, I observed the silent customer's approach. When he
reached my side he stooped and picked up something from the floor.
With a bow he presented it to me.

"I saw it drop from your pocket," he said; and then when he saw what it
was, his jaw fell, and he sent me a hot, penetrating glance.

"The ten of hearts!" he exclaimed in amazement.

I laughed easily.

"The ten of hearts!" he repeated.

"Yes; four hearts on one side and four on the other, and two in the
middle, which make ten in all,"--raillery in my tones. What the deuce
_was_ the matter with everybody to-night? "Marvelous card, isn't it?"

"Very strange!" he murmured, pulling at his lips.

"And in what way is it strange?" I asked, rather curious to learn the
cause of his agitation.

"There are several reasons,"--briefly.