Winner and Loser t was two o'clock in the morning. This time Bond must not lose. him. Le Chiffre watche Two cards were pushed towards cards and him from the other side of the table. Bond took the looked at them nothing He had two picture cards. They were worth A card," said Bond. card Le Chiffre turned over his own two cards. A picture and a three. Three,' said the croupier. Le Chiffre took a card and slowly turned it over. It was a nine. A lovely nine! The croupier pushed it to Bond Now it was Le Chiffre's turn to decide. He needed a six to make a total of nine. It was a difficult decision. He did not know what Bond's first two cards had been Le Chiffre looked at Bond's cards. Then he looked at his own cards. His face was hot. Finally, Le Chiffre took his card and turned it over. It was a wonderful card-a five "The bank has eight," said the croupier Bond sat silently. Le Chiffre smiled Le Chiffre was sure that Bond's cards would add up to more than nine. Every person watching thought that Bond had lost. The croupier turned over Bond's first two cards. They were picture cards and worth nothing. Nine," said the croupier. The people around the table shouted with surprise. Bond was watching Le Chiffre. The big man fell back in his chair. His mouth opened and shut, and his face was grey.