man's knowledge of the profession which he adorns so well will enable him to corroborate that fact."
"This—this is the pack."
"Do tell! That's candid, now. What, the Colonel's own! It's beautiful: for, gentlemen, Francis Farmer was a swindler, a card-sharper, a thief. He had all the talents. Permit me, sir, to exploit his favourite pack of cards."
The stranger took the cards which Mr. Armitage was holding in his hand.
"If you observe the beautiful rose which adorns their rears, you will observe that there is a slight variation in its position on the back of every card."
"I don't deny it for a moment."
I regained my presence of mind when I perceived that the fellow was not a mere impudent vagabond who wished to make himself objectionable, but that, in appearance, he really had something on which to base his assumptions.
"That is very good of you; more especially as we have eyes of our own which would enable us to perceive it for ourselves even if you didn't."
"If you will allow me I will explain how I became possessed of this pack of cards, which I believe really were the property of the infamous individual of whom this gentleman speaks. You will remember that I was surprised when I found them in my pocket?"
I addressed myself to Armitage.
"I remember that you appeared to be."
I did not like his tone at all.
"I not only appeared to be, I was. But before I explain, I suppose, Mr. Burchell, that you do not
