His
ill-humour was contagious, for soon between Von Deitz and Malinowsky
there was an interchange of high words.
"I have staked on the side, there!" exclaimed Von Deitz irritably.
It amazed him that this drunken boor, Malinowsky, should dare to
dispute with such a clever, accomplished person as himself.
"Oh! so you say!" replied Malinowsky, rudely. "Damnation, take it! when
I win, then you tell me you've staked on the side, and when I lose ..."
"I beg your pardon," said Von Deitz, dropping his Russian accent, as he
was wont to do when angry.
"Pardon be hanged! Take back your stake! No! No! Take it back, I say!"
"But let me tell you, sir, that ..."
"Good God, gentlemen! what the devil does all this mean?" shouted
Sarudine, as he flung down his cards.
At this juncture a new comer appeared in the doorway, Sarudine was
ashamed of his own vulgar outburst, and of his noisy, drunken guests,
with their cards and bottles, for the whole scene suggested a low
tavern.
The visitor was tall and thin, and wore a loosely-fitting white suit,
and an extremely high collar.
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