The Lamar register., 1902-09-03

He did not know that he was on the
brink-that was the trouble with most
of her victims-they boasted that they
had come through the first ordeal
without a scratch, and expressed a
readiness to meet another similar
rencontre with an eagerness that ap-
peared suspicious.
He manifested the greatest cuyios-
ity concerning all that took place.
the crowds that thronged the spacious
rooms, the zealots who hung over the
green tables and everything connect
ed with the life that for years was
written of Baden Baden, Monaco and
their latest progeny, Monte Carlo.
In the nature of things, Jones
meant to make haste slowly, and be
sure of his work.
Merrick awaited the result with no
little curiosity, ready to take up the
business when his comrade gave him
the signal.
He had been eagerly looking for
some face in the midst of the crowd.
looking with a feeling he dared not
himself define, knowing as he did that
his lips were to be sealed with refer
so long as Constance vas the favored
daughter of wealth.
And presently he saw her, looking
sweeter than ever, in company with
stern, military gentleman, and his
wife, possibly old friends, whose inter-
est in the Little Lady of the Dia-
monds" could date back to her life in
South Africa.
1t was just at this time, however,
that Jones made up his mind to begin
operations, and, accordingly, Merrick
was forced to the tables in order to
watch his play, it being necessary that
he should keep in touch with every
move. in order that when the occasion
came for him to get into the game
he would know just what had been
done and what bold strokes were to
be played in order to make a success.
full raid on the bank.
Other men had no doubt led des-
perate charges in the face of almost
certain death, without the least sign
of fiinching. where cannon Numbered
all around and grim foes waited to re-
ceive them with bayonets whetted for
their blood-or hunted the lordly tiger
of Bengal in his native jungles, ready
to stake their cunning and life against
that of the striped terror Of the trop-
les: but rarely has the privilege been
given to any one to engage in SO re-
markable an adventure as that which
now engrossed the attention of our
two comrades.
The enemy against whom they pit
ted themselves had defeated his CO.
horts and slain his thousands-he had
never known but one serious defeat,
and that was now overwhelmed in the
past, SO buried as to be quite forgot
ten.
T.. 1t was the old storyaof David and
Goliath again.
Jones had made n start.
He scorned the roulette wheel and
such minor methods of treating with
Fortunes favors. and seated himself
at the table where the croupier dealt
the cards. plying his little rake amid
the piles of gold and calling out the
decrees of fate in that cold passion
less voice that had sounded the doom
of SO many desperate wretches.
At trente ct. quarante Jones meant
to accomplish his judgment.
The stakes could run from a very
small amount up to twelve thousand
francs, the usual limit.
Jones had thrown himself into the
breach, and he carried something
more effective than the deceptive
glasses of poor old Quixote, who chose
to imagine every inoffensive windmill
knight armed cap pie and defying
him to mortal combat.
For Jones had the combination that
had years ago sent deadly spasm
through the heart of all gamesters in
Europe.
Merrick's heart was beating a little
more rapidly than its wont. but he
soon quieted the inward tumult.
If they were to succeed all emotion
must be crushed with an iron hand.
/ Jones began modestly.
Of cpnrcp ha 1yOn