The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-08-26
A MANTRAP CAB.

Twas standing in room Of west
end (London) gambling den watching
party of about 10 players engaged in
the game of rouge ct noir.
This night my eye had been particu-
larry kept upon short, dark haire1
man, evidently foreigner. He was
playing heavily. From his, pocket he
brought up at first single pieces of gold,
then, as he lost-he had terrible luck
he placed down on the table small
handfuls of sovereigns. He had just
now lost f10 at a swoop. Then he pro-
.duced banknote and laid it down.
Excuse me, sir" inquired the bank
aer, chow much do you shaker"
Zone hundred pound.
"Tbank you," remarked the banker
politely.
The game went on. and the cards
were turned up. With an exclamation
the player rose from his seat and pushed
his chair back. He had lost once more.
As he left the place followed him. He
walked swiftly on for long time
through the now almost deserted streets,
for it was nearly Q O'Clock in the morn
ing. At length he came to house in
dismal street off the Tottenham Court
road, in one of the top rooms of which
there was dim light burning. opened
the door with his key and entered.
I had an idea somehow that that ad-
dress might prove useful to me, and
was standing close to the door noting
its number when the door suddenly
opened and my man again appeared,
bareheaded. CHASTITY pale and breathless.
"Help, help!' he gasped. "She has
killed herself-she is dying! I have
murdered her-murdered herp'
I dashed in, and, rushing mp the
stairs, made my way to that dimly lit
room, the man following close at my
heels. In it, sitting in chair beside the
fireplace, was woman, young and
pretty, but now with her face convulsed
\ with pain. She seemed nearly uncon-
scious and was breathing heavily. On
the floor beside her was a small, round,
empty bottle.
Sending him to wake up the people
of the house and dispatch some one for
doctor, had in less than five minutes
administered an emetic to the girl in
the shape of strong dose of mustard
and water.
AS she lay there, apparently dying,
the man leaned over her, sobbing, tear
ing his hair and talking in French.
"And that crime was all for nothing.
I The thousand pounds! / have gambled
them away. Annette, forgive me. /
thought I should make our fortune.
But that scoundrel Repau shall give me
money I will make him."
What had Despard (that was his
name) been up to? The arrival of the
doctor, who saw to the girl and assured
us he would answer for her recovery,
! brought my stay to an end.
/ didn't sleep wink that night.
had one eye all through the weary hours
:, on Despard's door. About 9 o'clock in
the morning he came out, and, follow
ing him, made his way to a house off
Leicester square. He was inside an
hour, and discovered from one of the
servants that he had called upon M.
Belpard, another Frenchman. Was Bel
: pard Repau? / wondered. Naturally
!. enough, I wanted to discover something
about him, and letting M. Despard have
a rest I transferred my attentions to
his friend.
Only few minutes after Despard had
left M. Belpard came out with bag in
his hand. He hailed cab, was driven
to Waterloo station, and took a first
.sclass ticket to Southampton. Unknown
to him, saw him off and was then
slriven back to his lodgings. Inquiring
for M. Belpard. I said was M. Bel
pard's particular friend. almost his
brother. Alas, it was most unfortunate
Ahat had missed him! Iwould, how
ever, 90 to his room and write letter
to him.
Shown into Belpard's apartment, you
may guess very quickly examined it
when the servant had left me to write
that letter There was nothing particu-
lar in the place save black leather bag
which I found under the bed, COM
mon black bag with mark on the brass
mart of the handle, the mark Of fire.
An hour later there were keen eyes at
Northampton and at London on the
lookout for M, .Belpard, or, rather, for
Repau, for he it was.
For over a week every watch was
kept, every search made for that gentle
man. All was in vain. M. Belpard had
disappeared.
Despard was still at his lodgings I
called on him one day.
IN. Despard," suddenly asked
him, "would you like to earn e10O?'
IA hundred pounds he gasped. 1t
would be godsenda fortune! We are
absolutely starying--Annette, my wife,
and /. !"
I Repair is.
SYou know all then'" he almost
exscreamed. .