Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-10-16
a CANE Or
PENOCHLE
rOriHnal1.

"Here; make haste or you viii be boo
nate Take this and go to the saloon
referred to. Read as you go. There's
your car now"
The chief thrust letter into my
hand, and ran out of the office just in
time to step on car going downtown.
I knew the letter referred to the COM
ing OF the prince, for we had no time to
attend to other business than his pro-
lection. In the car read:
G.'s saloon, II a. m. Beer. Glass over.
PENOCELE.
At precisely 1850 strolled into G.'s
saloon. Sitting at one of the tables,
called for beer and cast my eyes about
the room. There was but one person
seated, and the moment I saw him
knew him to be my man. Fortunately
for me, he had come early. must get
him away before the man he was to
meet entered. That man did not know
him, but did he know that man? We
shall see. sat for few minutes
watching him and saw that he was
nervous. Then, fixing my eyes upon
his, emptied my beer glass and turned
it upside down on the table. He start
ed. got up and, going over to him,
said in low tone, "Follow me-" He
did SO, and as we left the saloon a man
with q red beard entered and cast on US
both piercing eye, which he did not
turn away till we were out of his sight.
"a narrow escape" muttered.
'.That's the man who was to meet
Penochle."
"Why did you not wait for me to give
the signal instead of giving it your
SELF" asked my man.
Had no time to waste Have you
arranged eyerything?"
~ have tho bomb"
1t would be impossible for me to
keep up u conversation with him, even
FOR few minutes, without betraying
myself. My only hope was before do
ing so to gain sufficient information
to locate the conspiracy.
"Where is it?" I asked, referring to
the bomb.
Between the mattresses of my
bed"
I wanted to ask where his bed was,
but did not dare do SO.
"He is expected in the morning." /
said instead. when is 1t to be doner'
"While he is being driven to his no.
FOL Thot 10 Tho
where will you standr'
ZIP He looked at me, surprised.
"You mean where will you stand"
II will attend to that. You must
hand me the bomb. However, these
details must be arranged later. At
present can only make an appoint
ment for this evening. Meet me TO-
night at-let me see. Go to No --
street, rear hall room, third floor. 10
O'clock"
"But"-
ut won't DO for us to be seen talk
ing together on the street. Goodby."
We were watched, though did not
know it, and by one whom rather
than my anarchist had cause to fear.
I went to the office and reported the
programme to the chief. We arranged
that a number of men should appear
at the point Of rendezvous at 1906
o'clock and arrest Penochle. pur.
posely made the hour five minutes aft
er that of the meeting, hoping to gain
some information before taking my
man in. A few minutes before 10
o'clock I went to the rendezvous,
room that kept for such purposes in
the worst part Of the city, and, going
upstairs, opened the door.
I started back. There sat the man
with the red beard who bad eyed us
when we left the saloon
"Where-is'- l stopped.
IPenochle2 Penochle is very haz-
ardous game. Just now I happen to
hold six aces"
'Six7 Ordinary packs hold but four.
Perhaps you count the joker"
"You show your ignorance Of the
game" he replied knowingly.
1.-THE game is one Of life and death.
I know that"
"What card do we playY'
1.-THE knave, who arrives tomorrow"
''Very good. By whose order?"
'The circle"
'Good again. And who is Penochler'
The man would soon trap me. In
deed I believed this question would
prove my ruin. I heard clock strike
10. Five minutes yet before the men
would comet One may be killed in
as many seconds.
"'PenochleY repeated to gain time
Then, remembering that my compan-
ion Of the morning had said, "You. not
l." replied evasively: 'That seems to
be the question: Is it you or II"
''Who is Penochle?' he repeated
sharply, moving his hand, which now
for the first time noticed was con-
cealed under his coat.
"Don't bully me-" I said as uncon-
cernedly as it was possible. 81 am not
the one designated by the circle to be
done It has assigned me special
work, and If you kill me you will
break the chain"
'tWhat work2''
At that moment the door opened, and