A brilliantly executed, vividly told story that forcibly illustrates the adage, "A pack of cards is the Devil's prayer book."

The Law of Blood

"Al" Spencer, a gambler who is not averse to cheating, who occupies an apartment with his wife and daughter, abandons his family after attacking and robbing a card player a confederate had brought to his place. In the same building lives Nancy Springer, a shoplifter whose thieving husband is in prison awaiting trial.