The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-01-19
"A GAMBLERS SCHEME
U TOOK AN EXPERTS CAREFUL
STUDY TO uNMASK IT.
nsery Of the Clever swtaaiiaE Trick
with which sharper kfeecea
London Ciaemea aud the Way I'm
} which Il Was Supposed.

sfF - INV ts&tts sse"
with which sharper kfeeee'
London Ciahmea aud the Way .,
which u Was Supposed.
Some years ago used frequently q
attend at homes" in addition to giy
ING lessons in legeriemain TO ladie'
and gentlemen who amused themselves
ss amateurs In giving exhibitions oi
their skin at evening parties, etc. Up
On enc occasion. Il was an ''at home
at lady AS town house. had given q
display Of card manipulation In addi
ton to other slelght Of hand tricks
After my performance | was approach
cd BY one Of the gentlemen guests.
@Allow me to congratulate you. Mr.
Deyant" be said. '.your entertainment,
has given me much pleasure. Your
card manipulation especially interested
ne. II occurs 10 me that with your OBJ
vious knowledge Of caris and card de-
eeptions you might assist me in per.
picking affair which has been exercls-
tng my mind for some time. II you
win be 50 good as to give me few
minutes Of your time | viii describe
the nature Of this dilemma to you. Al
low me to present my card"
Having signifed my willingness to
accord the interview requested, Sir
George L. escorted me 10 the conserva-
tory and said:
LET me come to the point. While
watching your card manipulation. It
struck me that you might probably be
scquainted with some Of the tricks
which are resorted to by card sharpers
and could set at rest some suspicious
OF mine concerning a certain gentle
man whose luck at cards Is proshgious.
I am strongly Of opinion that he Is
nothing more or less than profession
al sharper. This man l first encounter
"a at the B. club, Of which l am a
member. He has been a frequent visi-
tor there as a guest Of young friend
Of mine. also a member. who has con-
eeived partialiU for the sklllful card
player and is paying a rather high
price for the acquaintance.
Tt is not necessary that I should
state more than that my young friend
Is man OF ample means. obstinate
to the degree Of pugnacity and not a
little self opinloaated. Although have
tried again and again 10 convince him
that the luck Of his acquaintance
seems too consistent TO be legitimate.
he steadfastly refuses TO listen to me.
that he is not to be intim-
dated BY little III fortune. And so
be goes on playing-and goes on pay
Ing I have watched the play closely,
but am quite unable TO detect any
trick or dodge on the part OF the sus-
pected man. l cannot. therefore, put |
forward anything tangible to his detri. |
nent or charge him with any offense. |
Whatever his trick may be. II must be
| very clever one and OF a somewhat |
aovel description. | have carefully ex-
'rlined the cards, some methods Of
king which have had described to
but have failed to trace the slight
gns Of their having been tamper-
b. The ordinary club cards are
hich renders II all the more In.
e how the fellow contriyes TO
.kery with them. II struck
ertaps 1t might be a question
llation. but ! could not dis
ything beyond the ordinary
.. II was while In this diem
at the idea occurred 10 me that
Mr.. Devant. might be able to
ar mp the mystery. May | count
pom your assistanceT'
Certainly" I replied. II shall be
ery pleased to render you what serv-
,e can In the matter"
As matter OF fact, Sir George had
lQued my curiosity. for. knowing a
ood deal about card trickery. was
ager TO discover what cunning meth
q Of swlndllng-if any-the suspected
ian WAS resorting TO.
"Do you know anything about the
laniv ! asked.
very little" replied Sir George, "ex-
spt that he Is known as Mr.. De Lacy,
nd Is apparently Of French extraction,
Deaking with a slight accent. Beyond
rs there is much that Is mysterious
bout him. Ny friend knows nothing
him; he Is merely one Of those cas-
Al acquaintances II Is 20 easy to make
this cosmopolitan city Of ours"
What games does be fayorp
"He plays most Of TIE gambling
ames, but If ho has a fayorite should
link II was solo"
And In the event Of my discovering
ny trickery, should you make police
latter Of iti'
"NO, | don't desire 10 do that. |
Iant TO unmask the fellow. expose
in there and then. convince my OBJ
innate friend and have the sharper
icked out Of the club"
I entered into the affair with zest.
n appointment was fixed up for
ersaln evening, upon which ! found
Iyself In tho card room Of the y. club.
ent upon creating a "scene" There
rss o goodly assembly Of members
nd friends, and the room presented an
appearance, with It's groups
faultlessly attired clubmen gather
round the little green topped tables.
was invited by Sir George to join in
frfandlv Oafuo having hpen already |