The Portland daily press., 1898-08-26
MONTE CARLO sWlNDLERs.

A Detectives Story of the Ways That Are
Dark at the Famous Gambling Resort.
How One Man Worked the Bank-An
English Woman's Experience.
To be detective at Monte Carlo is to
be all things to everybody at one time
The place is no sinecure. I spent two full
seasons at it, and felt an exhaustion when
I finished as the veriest roue did who had
spent his time in every dishonest game.
My life there was one absolutely behind
the scenes. I was not detective for the
gambling house, but for prominent Jew
elers, a firm who had to watch every Jewel
of note and value worn in that rendezvous
of adventuresses, ex-convicts, swindlers
and sharpers.
The diamond necklace worn by the
beauty at supper would be rented from us.
I would have to keep ten PAGES near her
during the ball or dinner. Did she dance,
I glided about the room. Did she have q
quiet Irritation in recessed corner, was
there. Did she take supper deux,
watched every mouthful. Was afraid she
would run away with them? Possibly.
But what I did think about was this, that
the hand that dangled the monocle was
ready for the revolver the instant some
man attempted to take the jewels from
her throat.
Would she thank me forever for my
kindness? Perhaps so, perhaps not
She was most probably in the scheme.
She rented the jewels at a good price. A
man, her accomplice, would rob her Of
them in dark corner She was accepting
his attentions ostensibly because he was
Count Blank. She would report in tears
of her loss to the firm. But what could
she do? she would ask. Her acoomplice
would have time to disguise himself and
get to Paris, sell the jewels and finally
the two would divide the profits They
might actually be of noble birth.
And for these tricks and my colleagues
watched and waited. 1t was a madder,
wilder life than any one knows. That is
why can tell you stories no one else has
ever told you, tales that have never yet
appeared in print.
Now let me tell you story that no one
but detective could tell you.
I'll give you one of my hardest cases. A
man passed forged draft at the jewelers.
in Nice for jewels; then another at shop.
Twas put on his track. Here's his history:
John Jones was swell in fashionable out
fit, cane, monocle and all the parapher-
MALTA of 'dudism." He "went broke at
the table and applied to the company for
money to return home (they always give
that). He was identified as player by
the banker, who watches every face, given
sufficient money to take him home, pay
his hotel bill and send him out of town in
good manner. He had to sign paper
saying he would not return to the table or
allow the money they had given him to be
placed on the carpet.
He returned from the first station, had
barber shave him. Instead of the blond
mustache are black side whiskers and q
jet black wig, pair of colored glasses fin
ishing the disguise. He boarded at a new
place, called himself John Smith and
played his return money. He goes broke,
applies at tine Office for return money un-
der new name and face. Now Mr.
Smith Is no more, but had a widow.
fascinating, coy and young. The disguise
was excellent. The veil had to be kept down
or when raised a fan kept at the mouth.
The poor widow was not lucky. She lost
again and again and went to the office for
her return money.
The fourth disguise was that OF an old
man, suffering pain, fearful of people, shy.
He was very cautious, avoided every one.
He was registered James White. He lost
and could get his return money, but says
he would rather kill himself than humili-
ate himself The next day hat coat and
note are found near the sea by reporter
for famous journal in Nice. Hush
money was paid, and in Nice I found my
young fellow running cafe and selling to
victims sure combination to win at the
80 and 40 or at the roulette; also ready to
write the most sensational articles for
newspapers.
This is how found him: was watch
ing with suspicion young woman. She
took the train for Mentone. So did I. On
the car l played the hayseed, made in
quiries about the games and interested
her so that she promised to go back the
next day with me and show me some COM
binations. She told me she played irregu-
larly for fancy Her husband at Mentone
was dying Of consumption. went home
with her in casual manner and was pre-
sented to the husband. In him I found
my man I needed my handouts and re-
volver before got through with them
both, for she also was an expert.
did one slight piece Of detective work
over the tables which was interesting.
was watching the players rather strictly,
trying to spot woman whom wanted to
arrest An old maid came in and sat
down at the table. She was English and
very shy and alone. turned my atten-
ton to her. fancied she was green, and
watched her play with an amused inter
est for moment. She pulled out her
purse and with hesitation placed gold
louis on No. 90. 1t was her first gamble,
and the old maid looked scared out of all
her senses l saw she thought she would
never be reinstated into propriety after
that louis dropped on the number. No. 22
came out, and the banker paid 86 louis.
The wheel started again, and once more
22 came out The banker paid the limit
and then remarked that the sum, being
above the limit, could not remain on the
carpet No one moved. Then the dozens
of hands reached out for the money, some
carelessly, some eagerly, all with the in
tent of securing the money. By that time
it seemed every one remembered he really
had placed o gold louis On No. %. The
old maid hadn't moved. She was looking
Al, II