She nodded.

"Yes, I think I am a little."

Tony held a five-franc note in his hand, ready for staking. Without the
least sign of disappointment he stuffed it back into his pocket.

"Then we'll go home," he said. And somewhat to the amazement of the people
nearest him, who had been watching his phenomenal run of luck, he made a
way for Ann through the crowd and followed her out of the room.

"That was nice of you, Tony," she said gratefully, as they started to walk
home through the deserted streets.

He threw her a quick, enigmatic smile.

"I've an obliging disposition. Haven't you found that out yet?"

Ann laughed.

"It's becoming quite noticeable," she retorted. "Tony, you nearly broke the
bank to-night, I should think."

"Broke the bank! At five francs a time!" He kicked a pebble viciously into
the roadway. "It was confounded bad luck to get a run like that with such a
rotten limit. With an equal run at Monte I'd have made a fortune. Oh,
damn!"

They walked on in silence for a while. There was no moon. The lake lay dark