Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-02-25
CHAPTER VIII.
A NEW FRIEND.

A NEW FRIEND.
raped on the table. called watt
ress, and ordered bottle Of light wine,
which I knew would not hurt me.
Send for Mademoiselle Florine,"
that lady presented herself. and
perched upon the edge of the table
| where sat. Her humor was gay. her
laugh was keen; she smiled and asked.
HAS monsieur forgiven" with such 4
penitent little look l bade her be at
ease.
"Mademosielle. sit down, pray you"
and she saw by my serious face was
in no mood for chaning, 80 she seated
herself with pretty air Of attention.
could see the fellow at the dice
| watching, but now he appeared quite
satisfied intended to stay and drink
with the girl. She was evidently
great favorite with the habitues OF the
place. He looked at me less frequent
ly than at the door. and guess he ex-
pected Wards return.
| Now I grew certain. Ward had
merely gone down the stair to sc II he
had dropped the papers in the fight.
AS soon as he found they We're not,
there felt morally certain he
OF me. had begun the game.
and must play out the hand. SO.
I reached across the table, filled the
glasses for myself and Florine. rails
ing mine high as IL I would propose q
toast. tapped her banteringly on the
cheek, for the beneft Of him who
watched, and said in low tone, try
| ing to maintain my nonchalant man
ner.
Listen to me a minute, and be-
seech you smile, do not look so serious.
You brought me here, and now I trust
you to get me out alive. 10 there any
other way than that came
She looked about her apprehensively.
30 cautioned her again.
For heavens sake smile; am close
| ly watched, and you must laugh and
be merry as II drank with you and
made love-"
She comprehended, and well did she
play her part. The tones Of her voice
were light and playful; she lifted the
glass to her lips. tasting as a con-
| noisseur, and said between her sips:
Yes. Monsieur, there is-another way
leading out-on an alley in the rear"
How do you reach lt?"
THE door behind the table-where
they play for highest stakes-leads to
the passage. Do but cast-your eyes
that way-and you will see."
Then let US"
wait, Monsieur, not yet. II Mon
sieur would go and seat himself at
that table, as II he desired to play I
will slip around and make ready the
door for him. Monsieur was kind to
me, and Florine 10 grateful. Even we
women here respect q gentleman"
I pitied the woman from the bottom
OF my heart. took out my purse. paid
the reckoning, and together we wan
dered aimlessly toward that table.
Laughing and looking on at the var
ious games. The fellow watched us
as we went, but was pleased, and
seemed satisfied the woman but car
ried out the purposes Of her employ
ment.
I took q seat at I'll! the table, laid q
upon the game. Florine stood behind
my chair for awhile. watched my play,
then disappeared. After little she
returned and again took her place be-
hind me. Directly she laughed out mer-
rily, and In tone loud enough to be
heard by the man who listened as we'll
as watched, cried:
.'Monsieur plays the stakes too low.
Fortune favors the brave and reach
ing over she took several gold pieces
from my store, laid them out and
throw. In this position she whisper
ed:
II have the key to the outer door.
The inner door will be unlocked. Mon
sieur will play twice more, and by that
time will be in the passage. Arise,
and when you lay your hand upon the
door will open 1t from the other side %
lost the throw.
Double the wager. and better luck
next Time" she laughed as she moved
OF. and Joking lightly to different men
she knew, made her way beyond my
range Of vision. During the play saw
Ward come in hurriedly and question
the man at the door. He shrugged his
shoulders and shook his head. Ward
In.
The doorkeeper then recollected, and
imagined he was telling OF the two
gentlemen who had just gone down the
stair. Ward stood an instant 10 II
uncertain what to do. He was much
agitated and perfectly sober. He
glanced toward the table where he had
to his confederate, yet engaged in
play. and made no pretense OF conceal
ing the abruptness Of his question. The
man, in reply, Indicated my position at
the other table. Ward appeared some
what relieved. Again he spoke. and
this time the man at the table gather
ed up the money in front Of him and
replaced 1t in his purse. Then he cried
loud enough for me to hear:
"What7"
And sprang up instantly. They both
looked at me and held hurried con-
sultation. then separated, and one go
ing one way. one the other. came over
toward where SAT. BY this time my
second throw was made, and felt II
Elorine played me false the game was
lost. Yet hoping for everything rose
quietly. and thrusting my winnings in
q wallet-for had been Fortunate
stepped back and land my hand upon
the knob. It was locked. ! had no
time to think, but saw the whole trick:
lured to my destination. hemmed in be-
You'd hope OF escape. Bitterly I re-
pented my folly.
have heard men say they faced
death without tremor, and 30 for
that matter have l. yea. many times.
but 1t was upon an honest field in law
full tight for honors sake or duty's. My
cheek paled in spite OF me. at wight Of
the men who now came on. Three
others with blades half drawn pressed
close behind Ward. How many more
there were had no knowledge.
It was a sore test to my courage
thus to meet the ugly chill Of death in
such ill-repute. But there was no es-
cape, and even II fell In fight. they
would brand me as thief. Should
the papers be found on my body, then
honorable men would execrate my
memory as traitor to country and
to king. for had not Serigny told me
he could not avow my connection with
him7 The lust OF life still surging
strong within me, I drew my sword.
row space In front from post to post.
They parleyed time, and rested firm
against the door.
Come, fellow, thou art trapped: give