midday
Their interest was magnetic , their absorption and their amusement were communicated to some new-comers who had dropped in . Before the girl had dealt half the cards these bona-fide customers had found seats around the table and were likewise playing . They , too , enjoyed the novel experience , and the vehemence with which they insisted that Rouletta retain her office proved beyond question the success of Miller 's experiment . It was not yet midday , nevertheless the news spread quickly that a girl was dealing bank at the Rialto , and soon other curious visitors arrived . Among them was Big Lars Anderson . Lars did not often gamble , but when he did he made a considerable business of it and the sporting fraternity took him seriously . Anything in the nature of an innovation tickled the big magnate immensely , and to evidence his interest in this one he purchased a stack of chips .