"I bet I know which it was that time; and I bet I can pick
her next time."
"Oh, yes, you BET!" shrugged Newmark. "And that's where the card-
sharps get you fellows every time. Well, pick it," said he, again
deftly flipping the cards.
Nolan, who had watched keenly, indicated one without hesitation.
Again it proved to be the ten of spades.
"Anybody else ambitious?" inquired Newmark. Everybody was
ambitious; and the young man, with inexhaustible patience, threw out
the cards, the corners of his mouth twitching sardonically at each
wrong guess.
At length he called a halt.
"By this time I'd have had all your money," he pointed out. "Now,
I'll pick the jack."
For the last time he made his swift passes and distributed the
cards. Then quite calmly, without disturbing the three on the
cracker-box, he held before their eyes the jack of hearts.
An exclamation broke from the interested group. Tim Nolan, who was
the nearest, leaned forward and turned over the three on the board.
They were the eight of diamonds and two tens of spades.
"That's how the thing is worked nine times out of ten," announced
Newmark. "Once in a while you'll run against a straight game, but
not often."
"But you showed us the jack every time before you throwed them!"
puzzled Johnny Simms.
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