Otherwise I
would be robbing you, and I imagine that you cannot afford to lose. I
mean no offence. I am a plain-spoken man, but I believe in honesty
before politeness." Here his face relaxed into a most fearful grin....
"I merely want a little recreation, and you are so good-natured that I
am sure you will not object."
"On the contrary," replied Carringer politely, "I shall enjoy it."
"Very well; but let us drink again before we start. I believe I am
growing colder."
They drank again. Carringer took the liquor now with relish, for it was
something in his stomach at least, and it warmed and soothed him. Then
the play commenced. He won.
The pale stranger smiled quietly and opened another game. Again
Carringer won.
Then the stranger pushed back his hat, and fixed his quiet gaze upon
his opponent, smiling yet. Carringer obtained a full view of the man's
face for the first time, and it appalled him. He had begun to acquire a
certain self-possession and ease, and the novelty of the adventure was
beginning to pall before the new advances of his terrible hunger, when
this revelation of the man's face threw him back into confusion.
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