bank and anyone comes and stakes against it. Podvysotsky comes, sees a thousand gold pieces, stakes against the bank. The banker says, ‘ Panie Podvysotsky, are you laying down the gold, or must we trust to your honor?’ ‘To my honor, panie ,’ says Podvysotsky. ‘So much the better.’ The banker throws the dice. Podvysotsky wins. ‘Take it, panie ,’ says the banker, and pulling out the drawer he gives him a million. ‘Take it, panie , this is your gain.’ There was a million in the bank. ‘I didn’t know that,’ says Podvysotsky. ‘ Panie Podvysotsky,’ said the banker, ‘you pledged your honor and we pledged ours.’ Podvysotsky took the million.”
“That’s not true,” said Kalganov.
“ Panie Kalganov, in gentlemanly society one doesn’t say such things.”
“As if a Polish gambler would give away a million!” cried Mitya,