Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-09-05
The end was In sight.
Jones never let up.

His buckskin bag had 4 duplicate,
and both were well loaded. . fortune
In each. Wi
He felt that he could keep up this
business as long as the bank was able
to stand It; but the losses of that
hitherto impregnable institution were
simply enormous. g..
Finally the croupier threw up the
sponge, and as he showed more gold
across the table in the direction
whence all the rest had gone, he re.
marked In that metallic voice of his,
now tinged with real alarm:
There can be no further play here
tonight, ladies and gentlemen-for
the second time in its existence the
bank is broken!"
The most tremendous excitement
followed this dramatic announcement
on the part of the veteran croupier,
when circumstances entirely beyond
his control compelled him to an
nounce the bursting of the bank Of
Monte Carlo.
Jones was the cynosure of all eyes.
He could not complain of any lack
OF attention now-this wonderful feat
made him for the TINA being almost
a god.
The old gamesters crowded about
him and wrung his hand with all
manner of congratulatory phrases,
which he could of course accept at
their true value. The man who sue
ceeds has no lack of friends. Jones
was human, and rejoiced at the tri.
umphant vindication of his work.
The count and his Russian ally had
no reason to complain, since they
were in for a goodly pile; but what
they had won was mere bagatelle to
what the future held for the posses
sor of that magical chart.
And we'll they knew it.
Jones had made all preparations for
just such an emergency, even as he
had supplied the buckskin reservoirs
for sacking the bank.
For an amateur bank burglar he had
covered himself with considerable
glory.
True, there was Merrick, sturdy
enough to stagger under one of the
sacks, but to reach Nice in safety
might be problem.
Mark was engaged just then, hav-
ing found an opportunity to address
Constance, and this in his mind was
far more to be desired than the task
of guarding a treasure trove.
Little Miss Millions had never
gambled a cent in her life, and yet she
had been dreadfully interested in
Jones daring raid-she who had
hunted springbok and hartebeast, per-
haps even the Cape buffalo in his ma.
tive wild, knew what danger and ex-
element meant, and her little hands
had done their best in applauding the
bold plunger when victory came.
The little chat Mark had with the
girl gave him some pleasure, and he
was glad to know she was now in the
care of the English colonel who had
been friend during her girlhood
days under the far distant skies of the
Transvaal.
It was time they made a move if
DESTROYS of getting back to Nice that
night, as the last train would present.
ly be going.
So Merrick said goodnight and
turned to assist his comrade.
So strange spectacle had rarely
been seen in the last ten years, and a
great crowd of enthusiastic people
formed body guard to conduct the
successful raider to the train.
Really it was a triumphal march.
Merrick could not but secretly
laugh at the absurdity of it all-at the
same time he would hardly have been
human had he failed to enjoy the pc.
culiar sensation that comes with
such wonderful success. @
On the following night it would be
his turn to play the system, while at,
tention was directed to Jones, who
would win and lose alternately.
Hard lines had fallen upon Monte
Carlo, and if this thing continued long
the glory of the great gaming resort
would have departed.
A feverish unrest possessed the
town, and on every corner knots of
people could be seen eagerly discuss
ing the tremendous catastrophe.
And what would become of the
princes famous deep-sea investiga-
lions if the pride of Monte Carlo was
humbled in the dust?
The station was reached in safety
with the men carrying the spoils, and
our two friends ensconced themselves
in carriage, giving the guard a dou-
ceur with instructions to keep others
out unless there was positive ne
cessity for an intrusion on account of
lack Of space.
tits worth all it cost to see such a
thing as that affair tonight" said
Mark, reflectively. 81 never shall for.
get it, never. Talk about human ma.
ture at its widest, why, there were
men in that crowd around the table
yes, and women, too, crazed by the
gaming habit, who glared at you
Jones, like SO many mad wolves. The
stack Of Napoleons appealed to their
cupidity as raw meat would to a
starving beast. Ugh! 1t will haunt
me always, that fearful insight l had
to the depraved human heart"
Jones chuckled as he watched the
eager glances cast into their compart
ment by the passersby.
VERY good, my dear boy, every
word Of what you say is true, and only
emphasizes my determination to kill
this beastly dragon by fair means or
foul, ere he utterly demoralizes the
world. But am of the opinion