Loaded Dice

by Ellery H. (Ellery Harding) Clark

"Loaded Dice" by Ellery H. Clark is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story appears to delve into themes of ambition, chance, and the intricacies of personal relationships as it unfolds around a group of characters who frequent a club and engage in card games. Key figures in the opening chapters include Dick Gordon, a skilled stock broker with a mysterious charm, and Harry Palmer, a young millionaire navigating the pressures of his wealth and newfound engagement. The opening of the story introduces readers to a quiet evening at the Federal Club, where four men are engrossed in a game of bridge. The dynamics of the game reveal their personalities, with Gordon's intense focus contrasting with Palmer's more carefree attitude. A significant twist occurs when Palmer announces his engagement to May Sinclair, leading to celebratory plans that hint at both camaraderie and underlying tensions within the group. This initial setting lays a rich foundation for the conflicts and developments that are likely to ensue as the narrative progresses, blending the excitement of gambling, friendship, and romance.