CHAPTER V.A TURN OF LUCK.
The effect of Moses Flood’s entrance into his gambling place was magical. It was as if a king had come into the presence of half-a-dozen squabbling courtiers.
Godard shrank back in his lookout chair and relapsed into silence. The several players who had risen in the brief excitement resumed their seats with an air of unconcern, and the dealer continued his shuffling of the cards.
“What’s the trouble?” Flood quietly demanded.
He halted for a moment, erect and motionless, with his piercing eyes bent darkly on the scene.
“Nothing much, sir,” rejoined the humpback, as he dropped the bar across the closed door. “A bit of backcap, that’s all. It’s over now.”
“It had better be,” was the significant response.
Flood’s keen eyes had taken in the situation, yet his co
