The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-12
TRAPPED IN A
l GAME OF POKER.
Pietro's Method of Betraying Ills
Friend Who Dealt in Coun-
terteit Money.

The dusk had deepened into darkness,
and the first snow of the season was driv-
| ing across the prairie before half gale
from the northwest, when man rode
tired horse up TO the door Of Pietro s road
house, on the old Fort Smelling road. He
came neither by way of the Minneapolis
trail. nor by that from st. Paul, but straight
across the open country, where there were
in those days. no botherson,e fences.
Pietro himself came to the door when
he heard the sound Of the hoofs and seeing
who his visitor was, he gave a long, low
whistle, expressive Of much establishment,
| but said nothing. The other man merely
nodded, and waved his hand inquiringly
| toward the door, but the fat little italian
shook his head vigorously and pointed
to the corner of the house, whereupon the
other led his horse around to the stable,
4 and entered the house from the rear.
He was met again by the host. who signi-
! fed by gesture the direction for him to
take and escorted him to a room upstairs.
| Not until after they were inside the room
and the door was locked was word spoken.
What does it" began Pietro, but the
other interrupted.
Get me something so eat had five
| minutes to get away last night, and 1made
l straight for the open. dared not go any
| where else, and would not come here till
dark. have not eaten for twenty-four
l. hours"
1t seemed to be true, for when food and
wine were brought. he ate as If farnished.
while Pietro sat by in silence till he had
satisfied himself At length he leaned back,
| lighted the cigar which Pietro handed him.
and said:
We'll. the game is up. That Marsden
that you warned us against must have
split, for the officers left st. Paul at dark
and got to my place at 10 o'clock. Bob
was on the lookout, and we went different
ways. He struck for the woods, but I'm
going down the river il can get away"
did you save any of the stuff"
I'VE hadn't minute, tell you, said the
stranger with an oath 1--WE got a few
hundred in my pocket. but not over fifty
in good money. You'll have to help me
out"
They haven't traced you here?' Pietro's
English was remarkable.
mo. You are safe enough, even il they
had It's a public house. But 1 threw
! them off all right unless they can follow
| a trail through a mile and a half Of water.
It Is only a question of getting away from
here. I'll have to stay for few days
Pietro nodded.
| And the plant?" He asked.
Il saw a blaze behind me, two hours after
I left. If they burned the house. reckon
they didn't leave much Of anything else.
over and above what they took for evil
dence.'
.Too bad, too bad" said Pietro. Well
It was a good game while it lasted.
"Yes, and you got the most of 1t, growled
the other,
-Come, now said Pietro, with sudden
yiciousness In his tone. Il will not stand
that from you, Jack Brady. or any other
man. You had the same chance had.
and YOU handled as much Of the stuff. II
! you have nothing 1t Is because you are
fool II have something it Is because l
know enough to keep what get
Brady started nervously when he heard
his name called, but he made no protest,
aOh, it's all right, of course, Pietro,' he
said, somewhat surlily, but still with an
effort at Cancellation. But you will help
me QUIZ" he added.
| Pietro nodded again.
| aOf course" he said. But you must
II STAY in the room for few days tlu see
your chance. They will be looking for YOU"
| And a curious smile was on his lace as TO
spoke. 40, ,a;od
Brady, in sudden fury.
Easy, now, easy" said Pietro Il was
was only thinking how quickly my place
would be ruined if the Secret Service people
knew you were hiding here. 49,, y
We'll, you have queer sense OF huihor'
said Brady, irritably. you wouldn't lind
1t so funny IL you were the man they "eto
looking for
Pietro rlade no reply, but after he haa
left the room his smile grew more pro-
nounced Brady, however, could know
nothing of that and throwing hiinsen Oh
the bed he slept for eighteen hours.
Thereafter, for nearly week, the luSitiye
lived in hiding. For the first Few DAYS
he was patient enough, but he then grew
FESTIVE, and tormented Pietro every tiIne
he saw him with suggestions that speedy
departure was the brightest OF his hopes
That worthy, however, appeared 10 NC III
no haste to get rid of his strange guest.
al should think you'd want TO get me ne
away" said Brady, again and again, but al
Pietro would say in reply was; -,
"You go too soon, you will surely DO
caught. Patience, and all will be we'll
| IL he had any private information oi We
!
most skilful counterieiters IN the country,
he said nothing about it. But he took pains
to tell Brady with great detail what All the
country knew by that time that the secret
Service men were hunting for him viSor-
ously.
Only, when it came about that the news
papers advertised large reward for MS
detection, the daily paper that came regu-
larry to his place was, curiousIy enough
missing before it reached Bradys room;
And il any servant around the place had
been capable of carrying news. he wouio
not have remained in Pietros employ.
Early in the evening of that day, he en-
tered Brady's room and said:
You are a good poker player; 81,
| "YOu ought to know, said Brady, WIN
a short laugh. you've seen me play But
that is like n good many other accomplish,
ments of likely to grow rusty II l.
stay cooped up in this room much longer
| wouldn't mind having good game 70
night. Why do you come III here and t"lk
of such things?"
The two did not talk the conventional
crooks language Both we're men Of some
education, and had been clever enough to
avoid the habit.
Because" said Pietro, you may play
tonight il you choose, and think there is
n chance for you 10 make big winnings.
Dreyfurth is over here with three friends
from down the river. l never saw them
before, but they arc all right II they are
friends of his
"They had dinner before they came, but
they have ordered game supper at IL, and
are playing cards in n private room in the
meantime. They don't like four-handed
game, and they want another player ii l
will introduce him, SO they be certain he is
| .,k, ,,xht Arl taf r.aI nj llfl