The young Englishmen sat looking at their guest with some curiosity.  His strange assurance daunted them.

“Surely this is a week of wonders,” said Beau Wilson, with scarce covered sarcasm in his tone.  “First we have a wild man from Canada, with his fairy stories of gold and gems, and now we have another gentleman who apparently hath fathomed as well how to gain sudden wealth at will, and yet keep closer home.”

Law took snuff calmly.  “I am not romancing, gentlemen,” said he.  “With me play is not a hazard, but a science.  I ought really not to lay on even terms with you.  As I have said, there is no such thing as chance.  There are such things as recurrences, such things as laws that govern all happenings.”

Laughter arose again at this, though it did not disturb the newcomer, nor did the cries of derision which followed his announcement of his system.

“Many a man hath come to London town with a system of play,” cried Pembroke.  “Tell us, Mr. Law, what and where shall we send thee when we have won thy last sixpence?”

“Good sir,” said Law, “let us first of all have the joint.”

“I humbly crave a pardon, sir,” said Pembroke.  “In this new sort of discourse I had forgot thine appetite.  We shall mend that at once.  Here, Simon!  Go fetch up Mr. Law’s brother, who waits below, and fetch two covers and a bit to eat.  Some of thy new Java berry, too, and make haste!  We have much yet to do.”

“That have ye, if ye are to see the bottom of my purse more than once,” said Law gaily.  “See! ’tis quite empty now.  I make ye all my solemn promise that ’twill not be empty again for twenty years.  After that—­well, the old Highland soothsayer, who dreamed for me, always told me to forswear play after I was forty, and never to go too near running water.  Of the latter I was born with a horror.  For play, I was born with a gift.  Thus I foresee that this little feat which you mention is sure to be mine this very night.  You all say that trente has not come up for many months.  Well, ’tis due, and due to-night.  The cards never fail me when I need.”

“By my faith,” cried Wilson, “ye have a pretty way about you up in Scotland!”

John Law saw the veiled ill feeling, and replied at once: 

“True, we have a pretty way.  We had it at Killiecrankie not so long ago; and when the clans fight among themselves, we need still prettier ways.”

“Now, gentlemen,” said Pembroke, “none of this talk, by your leave.  The odds are fairer here than they were at Killiecrankie’s battle, and ’tis all of us against the Scotch again.  We English stand together, but we stand to-night only against this threat of the ultimate fortune of the cards.  Moreover, here comes the supper, and if I mistake not, also the brother of our friend.”

Will bowed to one and the other gentlemen, unconsciously drifting toward his brother’s chair.

“Now we must to business,” cried Castleton, as the dishes were at last cleared away.  “Show him thy talisman, Pem, and let him kiss his jewel good by.”