“Uponmyhonor，“saidJacksimply，“theyplayedlastnightforthefirsttime。Andtheyforcedmetoshowthem。But，“addedJackafterasignificantpause，“IthoughtitwouldmakethegamelivelierandbemoreofamorallessonifIgavethemnearlyallgoodpathands。SoIraninacolddeckonthem——thefirsttimeI
everdidsuchathinginmylife。Ifixedupapackofcardssothatonehadthreetens，anotherthreejacks，andanotherthreequeens，andsoonuptothreeaces。Inaminutetheyhadalltumbledtothegame，andyouneversawsuchbetting。Everymanandwomantherebelievedheorshehadstruckasurething，andstakedaccordingly。Anewpanfulofbeanswasbroughton，andSeth，yourfriend，bankedforthem。Andatlasttheparsonrakedinthewholepile。“
“Isupposeyougavehimthethreeaces，“saidDr。Duchesnegloomily。
“Theparson，“saidJackslowly，“HADN’TASINGLEPAIRINHISHAND。
Itwasthestoniest，deadest，neatestBLUFFIeversaw。Andwhenhe’dfrightenedoffthelastmanwhoheldoutandlaidthatmeaslyhandofhisfacedownonthatpileofkings，queens，andaces，andlookedaroundthetableasherakedinthepile，therewasasmileofhumbleself-righteousnessonhisfacethatwasworthdoublethemoney。“