The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-03-19

Mrs. marchand was gently tapping
the back of Chadwick's chair, but 1t
was no longer the tattoo of an absent
minded individual. Each tap meant
something. She was telegraphing
Chadwick's hand to her husbandi
My first impulse was to denounce
them then and there. but what was the
word Of hired entertainer against
that of distinguished guests, people Of
social standing, as any Of Lord Brow
er's friends must be? Then came the
inspiration. With something of the
captains cynical smile, l, too. CON-
menced to drum on the back of chair,
and this was what reached the startled
couple:
"1ou-are-cauRht!
The captain turned rigid as he grasp.
ed the arms OF his chair, and for n sin
gle instant his eyes, expressing rage,
hate and fear, met mine. l smiled
grimly. enjoying the situation. The
coup had different effect on Mrs.
Marchand. She tainted away, at which
the captains composure returned. He
sprang to her rescue, and the table was
overturned.
When Mrs. Marchand recovered, the
guests clamored for the finish of the
game. but Marchand shook his head,
perhaps because l drummed a rhyth-
mic warning, Don't play"
sat in my room an hour later, cogi-
tating whether should inform Lord
Brewer that he was entertaining pair
of clever tricksters, when servant
brought me message from Marchand
asking an interview In his room. I
found him waiting for me with an
ugly scowl on his face but his wife,
pale and with her hair In artistic dis
array. was charming in her new role of
beauty In distress.
Marchand came directly to the point.
well, what do you intend to do~
Nothing" replied nonchalantly.
1T is your play. II you and your
charming wife are suddenly summoned
to London tomorrow, the matter ends.
Otherwise think Lord Brewer
shrugged my shoulder significantly.
And, by the way. 1t might be just
as well II you refunded to Chadwick
the money you've won since he's been
playing with you"
"And them"
Madam's hands were working nerv.
ously
And then shall have one more good
after dinner story-to tell when | re
turn to America that Is all. Lord
Brewer shall never know"
You are very generous" replied TIL,
lady, with tears in her eyes. You car
have no Idea TO what straits we, my
husband and l. have been driven Sh,
was playing her part well. we wer,
raised to love the good things OF life
Both thought the other had money, ant
both have made the best of bad bar
gain. We have lived upon the losses o
our aristocratic friends until we me
YOU, and now
With u we'll simulated sob she bowe,
her head among the pillows. Captain
Marchand rose and opened the door
His pollteness was elaborate.
You will pardon Mrs. Marchand,
lack OF self control. As you say,
think a trip to London is what sh,
needs, what we both need. Good night
my dear SIR"
stepped backward toward the dool
which he held open, my glance, which
l know must have held some amuse
ment at the clever acting of his wife
still fixed on the weeping lady Then
suddenly i felt myself going down
down. l clutched at space, and from
above me came mocking laugh. Then
shock, a binding light In my eyes,
and-blacknessl
When | woke, dim rays of light PEN
etrated into Shiny cellar where I lay,
practically prisoner, for one leg was
broken and was bruised from head to
foot. Rats ran along the lodges in the
masonry, and bats hung from the raft
ers above.
II must have been hours before help
came to me, but lost all reckoning of
time. When at last l was carried to
my room and medical aid was summon
ed, l learned from Lord Brewer that
my being alive was nothing short Of
miracle. l had fallen three flights into
a stone dungeon. one of the Dumer-
Gus pitfalls which abounded In this
ancient pile. The captain had skillfully
guided me to the secret door which was
one OF his characteristic discoveries.
Lord Brewer heard with amazement
my tale Of their treachery and trickery,
but the scandal never became public.
British pride stepped in at this point,
the deeply annoyed master of Tentow-
ers making ample reparatlon for my
loss Of time and suffering. And the
only reason for telling Of the story Is
that during my recent trip to London
recognized In one of the reigning
siege beauties Mrs. Captain Marchand,
who once telegraphed poker hand to
her fellow trickster at Tentowers cas-
tie.