The Gambler held firm to his derringer, in spite of the noise about him, the exits and entrances below decks, and the sudden metamorphosis of Sara Belle Fontaine into the Black Chat, Ting Hao, as she was known and feared even among the White Lotus gangs in the opium dens of Shanghai. He paused, and waited for silence.

De Mornay (as was by now no surprise to any of them), began to speak: "Sara Belle, Ting Hao, in this supreme moment of crisis, since you too have come forward, you must know, you must -- your father is -----"

The Gambler fired his gun. De Mornay staggered, for a moment theatrically, and then, with gradual realization, truly staggered for the first time in his life.

"Not a good gamble, de Mornay. Sorry." The Gambler smiled.

De Mornay, with his last breath, hurled himself at the Gambler, clutching for his body. There was a brief tangle of bodies, followed by a humming sound like a maddened calliope, and then both figures DISAPPEARED!