Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-14

started involuntsrily from my scat, the noise OF
the shot did not appear 10 have attracted any
particular attention amongst the groups Of gaily
dressed people beyond.
Mindful Of our plan, did not hurry myself,
but walked slowly across to the building, and at
ter waiting minute or two, 1t cigar and saun-
tered carelessly along towards the further wing
of it. Here | encountered little knot Of men IN
uniform, who were engaged in discussing some
point with evident interest took my cigar from
my mouth and addressed the foremost of them.
'Has anything happenedY / asked. 81 thought
heard pistol fired just now"
"Ah, nothing, monsieur nothingP replied the
official with characteristic reticence.
''NothingY That is welll" and passed on as
though to enter the gardens
The official stopped me politely.
"a thousand pardons, monsieurl" he said.
"Why, what's the matter?" / demanded in af
fected surprise care the gardens prohibited to-
nightH"
'If you must know. Monsieur. we think that
gentleman has shot himself just now in the gar
dens" he replied calmly.
Dear dear!" / exclaimed. "What calamity,
Shot himself! You don't mean it'll Poor fellow!
Monsieur will oblige by saving nothing about
it," returned the officer. 1--WE prefer to keep
these things quiet"
"Ah," smiled, "exactlyl 1t is better, of
course-much better Good evening" 4s
They took off their hats and lounged away.
Wondering what to do next and experiencing
ferment of excitement as to the fate Of Carberry,
L made my way back again to my original seat.
I had scarcely sat down when figure emerged
from side path, and making briskly towards me,
I discovered it to be Carberry himself He slap
ped me on the shoulder, fell into chair by my
side, and burst into an uncomfortable mt OF
laughter.
''They've gone for strctcherl" he exclaimed as
soon as his mirth had sufficiently subslded to per
init of speech. "The mugs have gone for a
stretcher Lord, what joke, ha, ha!-and the
poor dead gambler has walked away meantime IN
the most unaccountabe manner! Imagine Their
chagrin when they return and find him non estl
MY dear fellow, it's the best coup that was ever
pulled off at Monte Carlo"
'Hang it," 1 said, wed better clear out!
There'll be the deuce of row if they catch you.
But how about the money part of the business!D
"Jrst as expected" he laughed. Il fired on
the pistol in the air-after first smearng the side
of my face with little red grease pant-and fell
down in the most approved stage style across the
flower border, the smoking revolver still clutched
firmly in my rigid right hand. moment later
and up came two arguseyed ones-a stage en-
trance could not have been better calculated, pon
nv word, it couldn't. Down they drop on their
knees beside me, and first they must feel my pock-
cts (which / need hardly tell you we're quite
auiltless of money!. They take quick glance
at my CORY face, and one says to the other, ne
has shot himself through the head (Which was
quite untrue) The other gentleman thereupon
lugs out of his vest notes of the adminlstra'
tion. and thrusts a bundle of them hurriedly into
INV breast pocket Here they are!" cried Car.
berry, pulling out packet of bank-notes; hall
a dozen at least, and ive-hundred-franc ones, my
boy! Then up get my fine fellows and rush OF
hot foot for stretcher, leaving me lying there
in the moonlight! No sooner, however, do they
disappear around one corner than jump up and
disappear round the other, and, with all the ex-
pedition can muster make my way back to you
here, in order to relieve your very natural ap,
prehensions as to my safety. They will be back
again by this time securing the grounds, so, if
you don't mind, think I'll be toddling off to the
hotel, and tomorrow we can pay our bill and take
irst-class ticket to Paris in time for the exh
bition. Vive la bagatelle!"
And that was how Carberry paid his hotel bill
at Monte Carlo.