As usual at this late hour, the large room was crowded with fashionable gentlemen in evening dress. In one corner, a faro bank was in full swing. Among the players present there was Lord Stirling, who had already established himself as a gambler with a great deal of cool caution and a definite flair. Orphanstrange strolled casually through the throng, keeping watch on the dealers and croupiers and waiters as well as the guests. It was not unheard-of for a reckless plunger to come belatedly to his senses and realize he had staked his entire fortune on a throw of the dice. Orphanstrange’s ambition was not to prevent these unfortunates from suffering the consequences of their folly but to insure no fits of remorse were enacted on the premises. Scandal enough had already attached itself to Mountjoy House. In this endeavor Orphanstrange was assisted by Lionel, stationed near the door—although the solicitor’s attention had a tendency to stray to another corner, where Minette set in motion an E.O.
