"
"I generally spend a month of the winter in Vienna. One of your
compatriots taught me the interesting game." The Colonel
shuffled the cards. "It is the great American game, so I am told."
"O, they play checkers in the New England states," said Maurice,
hiccoughing slightly. "But out west and in all the great cities
poker has the way."
"What have you got?" asked the Colonel, answering a call.
"Jacks full."
"Takes the pot;" and this Americanism came so naturally that
Maurice roared.
"Poker is a great preliminary study to diplomacy," said the
Colonel, as he scrutinized his hand. "You raise it?"
"Yes. One card. Diplomacy? So it is. I played a game with the
Chinese ambassador in Washington one night. I was teaching him
how to play. I lost all the ready money I had with me. Next day
I found out that he was the shrewdest player in the diplomatic
circles. Let's make it a jackpot."
"All the same to me."
And the game went on. Presently Maurice threw aside his coat. He
was feeling the warmth of the wine, but he opened another bottle.
"Is there any truth," said the Colonel, "about your shooting a
man who is found cheating in your country?"
"There is, if you can draw quicker than he.
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